Why isn’t Derwin James Jr playing for the Chargers against the Chiefs? NFL Week 4 injury status
The Chargers’ safety has found himself on the wrong side of the rules and not for the first time. With that as context, it’s no surprise he’s been suspended.
The Los Angeles Chargers will be without a key part of their defense this Sunday when they face the defending Super Bowl champions. On the other hand, this is a player who has now got five unnecessary roughness penalties in his last 18 games which is to say, can there be any complaints?
Derwin James has to learn how to behave
If you caught our report from earlier this week, then you will know that Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James was suspended for one game without pay by the NFL after multiple violations of the league’s player safety rules. Where the last straw was concerned, it was during the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, when the 28-year-old had a role in several plays that can only be described as unnecessarily rough.
To be more specific James made helmet-to-helmet contact with Steelers tight end Pat Feiermuth as he attempted to bring him down during the third quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium. In case you’re wondering, the league went on to issue a statement in connection with James’ suspension, seemingly explaining the grounds on which the decision was taken.
So, with James officially ruled out, what does this mean in terms of the Chargers’ chances against a team that has now won two consecutive Super Bowls and looks a good bet to become the first team in NFL history to win three in a row? To be frank, nothing good. Aside from James, the Chargers are also working with a semi-injured quarterback and an offensive line that has been depleted by bumps and bangs. To be clear, quarterback Justin Herbert continues to struggle with the ankle injury that has plagued him through the first three weeks of the season.
Should Herbert be unable to take the field, it will be veteran backup Taylor Heinicke who does. Herbert was listed as limited in practice during the week, however, the good news it’s that he no longer had a need for the walking boot that he was seen wearing following the previously mentioned loss to the Steelers. On the other hand, his ankle was heavily taped. Ultimately, injuries are a part of any sport - perhaps more so in the NFL - and with that, the Chargers will have to cope. Yet, given how much the team is already limping, one has to admit that James’ absence was the cherry on top.