Chargers’ Passing Game Dealt Uncertain Hand: Key WR Out for Week 1

The biggest question the Los Angeles Chargers needed to answer was who would catch passes from Justin Herbert after cutting Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen. The team took many approaches to address this; hiring a new WR coach, drafting three wide receivers, and also adding a veteran free agent, DJ Chark.

At least for Week 1, Chark has been ruled out due to a hip injury.

DJ Chark Ruled Out Of Chargers-Raiders Week 1 Game

Chark has not practiced all week and was ruled out for the Chargers game against the Raiders on Thursday afternoon.

While it is unclear exactly how and how much the Chargers were planning on utilizing Chark in the offense, he is the most veteran presence in the room and by a significant margin. He has started 51 games since being drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. The remaining six receivers on the roster have started a combined 34 games in the league, with Josh Palmer representing nearly 65 percent of those starts.

Palmer also popped up on the injury report on Thursday but was a full participant on both Thursday and Friday. And was ruled “in” for the game.

For what it is worth, Chark is listed among the 1st receivers on the Chargers’ depth chart along with Palmer and Quentin Johnston.

Chark joined the Chargers with a significant injury history. Nearly two years ago, he was placed on the IR for an ankle sprain and missed six games. In 2021, he broke his ankle in Week 4 and missed the rest of the season. In his rookie season, Chark missed five games with a quad strain. DraftSharks lists 13 different entries of his injuries which resulted in 30 missed games in six seasons.

Last season, Chark caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns.

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