Following a 0-2 start to the season, the Los Angeles Chargers are placing tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar on injured reserve. Head coach Jim Harbaugh announced the roster moves on Monday, September 21, 2026, leaving the team with just one active tight end on the roster ahead of Week 3.
The Los Angeles Chargers face a significant roster crunch at tight end after losing both David Njoku and Charlie Kolar to long-term injuries during a difficult start to the 2026 campaign. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Monday that the team is placing both players on injured reserve, sidelining them for a minimum of four games according to ESPN.
Double Injury Blow in Week 2 Loss to the Raiders
The injuries struck during the Chargers’ 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on September 21, 2026. Njoku was carted off the field after sustaining a fibula injury. Kolar suffered a forearm injury during the contest, with his arm placed in a sling after the final whistle as noted by Pro Football Rumors.
The simultaneous loss of both tight ends depletes a position group that underwent a heavy offseason overhaul. Kolar joined the club in free agency on a three-year contract featuring $17MM in guarantees according to roster tracking reports. He had stepped into an expanded role, logging a career-high 59% of offensive snaps in Week 2 prior to his injury. Njoku signed a one-year deal with Los Angeles in May after spending much of his career as a starter, though he logged a snap share of just 33% before his exit based on league data.
Roster Thinning Leaves Oronde Gadsden as Sole Active Tight End
With Njoku and Kolar sidelined for at least four weeks, the Los Angeles Chargers are left with Oronde Gadsden as the only tight end on the active roster. The sudden shortage hits an offense that relies heavily on tight-end blocking packages to support its rushing attack as reported by ESPN.
To address the immediate void, the team could look to its practice squad, which currently features two tight ends: Evan Svoboda and Patrick Herbert according to team personnel notes. Patrick Herbert is the brother of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Jim Harbaugh Tackles Mounting Offense and Injury Woes Ahead of Week 3
The offensive struggles extend beyond personnel losses.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh discussed the challenges faced during the game, including timing issues with the snap and player reactions.
The team’s injury report also threatens other positional groups. Left guard Kayode Awosika sustained a fibula injury, and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson is managing a hamstring issue according to coaching staff updates. Both players are expected to miss time.
Placing Njoku and Kolar on injured reserve consumes two of the Chargers’ eight available IR activations for the regular season noted league analysts. Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz must now navigate an 0-2 start without two of their primary blocking tight ends as preparations begin for Week 3.
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