Los Angeles Chargers place wide receiver DJ Chark on injured reserve

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark was placed on injured reserve today, just 24 hours before the team kicks off their 2024 season against the Las Vegas Raiders. Per the team , tight end Eric Tomlinson was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move.

Chark has suffered a variety of injuries since being drafted in 2018. These include, but are not limited to, quad, rib, shin, back, chest, and elbow injuries. The talented receiver has never played a full season, averaging about 11.5 games per year. It was part of the concern when the Chargers signed him. Now, before the season even begins, Chark will miss a minimum of four games.

The new question: Who starts as the boundary, downfield threat the Chargers need in Greg Roman's offense? Ladd McConkey has the speed profile, but appears poised for more of a slot role where he can make use of his devastating quickness and yards after catch ability. Josh Palmer can work down the field (and even did so to seal the last home game against the Raiders), but he does not have the same long speed Chark does. Quentin Johnston was not that guy last year. Brenden Rice barely produced in the preseason but has flashed in camp. Is it the veteran Simi Fehoko, who was the most productive NFL wide receiver in the preseason?

Regardless, a wide receiver corps surrounded with questions now loses one of its starters for the first quarter of the season. The good news: The Chargers do have a Week 5 BYE, which could give Chark an extra week of time to heal up and work back without missing a game. Fans can only hope someone steps up in that receiver room until then.