Chargers place primary tight ends on injured reserve as nightmare season continues

The Los Angeles Chargers have placed tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar on injured reserve.

Njoku was carted off in Sunday’s 26–14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders with a fibula injury. Meanwhile, Kolar is dealing with a forearm injury. Both tight ends are set to miss at least four games.

The Chargers have only one tight end on its active roster in Oronde Gadsden II. The team could turn to its practice squad where there are currently two tight ends, Evan Svoboda and Patrick Herbert (brother of quarterback Justin Herbert).

The injuries are a devastating blow to an already struggling offense, which relies on its tight ends to serve as blockers. Gadsden struggles as a run blocker.

Njoku has eight reception for 67 yards this season, while Kolar has three receptions for 21 yards.

A total of five players from the Chargers’ free agent class have been sidelined with injuries. Njoku and Kolar are on injured reserve, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and left guard Kayode Awosika are out indefinitely and center Tyler Biadasz suffered a season-ending injury in training camp.

The Chargers are 0–2 after back-to-back stunning home losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Raiders. The team was slated as a playoff contender before the season began, but could very well remain winless in Week 3 with a highly-touted matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh had one piece of advice for his struggling squad: “When the going gets tough the tough gets going.”

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