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Chargers Make David Njoku Move Ahead of Bills Game
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- Chargers Make David Njoku Move Ahead of Bills Game
Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers walked into the 2026 season carrying Super Bowl expectations, with Herbert himself in the middle of early MVP conversations. Two games later, none of it has translated onto the field.
The Chargers are sitting at 0-2, and both losses have come at home at SoFi Stadium. Arizona opened the year by stunning Los Angeles 26-14 in Week 1, and the Raiders followed with an identical 26-14 result in Week 2.
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Herbert has completed 32 of 54 passes for 401 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions through two starts, and that's nowhere close to what Mike McDaniel's offense was supposed to unlock in his first year calling plays.
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku.Kirby Lee - IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The offense hasn't been the only issue. Los Angeles also walked away from Week 2 with a costly injury, one head coach Jim Harbaugh had to address two days later, and it's since turned into a bigger problem heading into a difficult stretch of the schedule.
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On Wednesday, the Chargers placed tight end David Njoku on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least the next four games. Njoku was carted off in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to Las Vegas after suffering a fibula injury while run blocking, a diagnosis Harbaugh confirmed the following day.
The Chargers announced the move while also adding wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster and signing long snapper Spencer Triplett to the practice squad.
The timing surely stings as Njoku signed with Los Angeles in May after nine seasons in Cleveland , agreeing to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million with only $850,000 guaranteed, and he'd opened the season with five catches for 58 yards.
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Now the Chargers will be without him for a stretch against the Buffalo Bills , Seattle Seahawks , Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs – four opponents that won't make it any easier to find a rhythm.
The Chargers make their first road trip of the season next Sunday against the unbeaten Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
