The Los Angeles Chargers placed tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar on injured reserve following a 26–14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh’s Monday update. Njoku suffered a fibula injury that required him to be carted off the field during the first half, while Kolar sustained a forearm injury and was later seen on the sideline wearing a sling.
Chargers Lose Njoku and Kolar to Injured Reserve After Raiders Loss
Depleted Depth Chart Leaves Gadsden as Lone Healthy Tight End
Both Njoku and Kolar will miss a minimum of four games, leaving the Chargers’ active roster with just one healthy tight end in Oronde Gadsden II. The team’s active depth chart at the position is severely depleted. Options exist on the practice squad, including Evan Svoboda and Patrick Herbert—the latter of whom is the brother of quarterback Justin Herbert. Prior to their injuries, Njoku recorded eight receptions for 67 yards this season, while Kolar added three receptions for 21 yards.
Mounting Free Agent Casualties Strain Offensive Line
The losses at tight end compound a broader injury crisis for the Chargers’ offense, which already relies heavily on those players for blocking duties. Left guard Kayode Awosika and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson are also expected to miss multiple games due to injuries, though neither was placed directly on injured reserve alongside the tight ends. Center Tyler Biadasz previously suffered a season-ending injury during training camp, making a total of five players from the team’s free agent class sidelined early in the season.
Harbaugh Confronts 0–2 Start Amid Shuffling Lineups
During Sunday’s game against the Raiders, veteran Trevor Penning stepped in at left guard following Awosika’s exit, and also filled in at right guard for Cole Strange during a scoring drive. Head coach Jim Harbaugh offered a direct assessment of the mounting pressure on his squad after falling to an 0–2 start following consecutive home losses to the Arizona Cardinals and the Raiders, telling reporters, “When the going gets tough the tough gets going.”
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