The Chargers will start their regular season without safety Derwin James for the second straight year.
James is likely to miss significant time with a meniscus injury he suffered during today’s practice, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
James was coming up to make a tackle, but stayed on the ground for a little bit. He walked off under his own power and grabbed his hamstring. He walked to the medical tent with trainers with his head down and right before getting there, threw his gloves to the ground.
Last season, the All-Pro safety missed 11 games with a foot injury that he sustained during training camp.
With James out of the action, Los Angeles will now have to figure out how they can replace him in the meantime.
A couple of possibilities include starting his backup, rookie Alohi Gilman. The team could also move down Rayshawn Jenkins from the single-high role while placing Nasir Adderley at free safety.
With exactly two weeks until the season opener against the Bengals, the Chargers will have to act very quickly.