Tag: Chargers Derwin James

Watch: Kids challenge Chargers’ Derwin James to Mario Kart showdown

These kids challenged Derwin James to an epic Mario Kart 8 Deluxe showdown.

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. is featured in Whistle’s latest ‘Pressed’ episode, a new hidden camera format original comedy series. 

James believed he was participating in a moderated, panel discussion by journalists but quickly finds three middle-school-age reporters at the press conference. 

Not only did the kid reporters come ready with intellectual questions about the safety’s strategies on the field, but they also had some witty questions for James as well. 

The episode comes to an end with James and the young journalists battling it out on the Nintendo Switch as they play the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. 

Chargers fans, if you want some entertainment that includes your favorite safety, this is a must-watch.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley on Derwin James’ penalties: ‘He needs to change his approach’

Brandon Staley was asked about the penalties racked up by Derwin James.

At his media availability, Brandon Staley was asked about the penalties racked up by Derwin James in the Cowboys game and throughout the season. Staley issued a rather blunt response:

He needs to change his approach because he needs to stop being penalized. He needs to lower his target and play the aggressive game that he plays, but he has to lower his strike zone and make sure that he’s making good decisions. It is the way it is and you have to make adjustments when you’ve had things go the other way. And he will, he’s too smart of a player. He’s such a leader on our team.

James was flagged twice against Dallas for penalties that cost Los Angeles 30 yards. Through four games, he’s already had four penalties called on him. The most penalties committed by James in a season was six in 2022, a mark he’s certainly on pace to break.

James gave some of his thoughts when the penalties were inevitably brought up at his media availability session. On how the refs are calling flags this season, James said this:

I’m already going low, and then guys are ducking. I just have to get low, I guess. I’m a professional, they pay me to do my job. If they’re going to call it like that, I have to be responsible and not hurt my team and get better from it. It’s that simple.

James also answered a follow-up question that asked if he thinks the referees are officiating him differently following his disqualification in Week 15 vs. the Colts last season. While he believes they are officiating him “a little bit” differently since that hit, the former Florida State product ultimately thinks the onus is on him to adjust and help the team.

James and the Chargers enter a critical matchup against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium after letting Monday’s game slip away. Asked about the matchup with star tight end Travis Kelce, James said he “can’t wait.” The two tend to match up well against each other, as seen in the rivalry over the last few years.

Hopefully, James’ penalty issues are corrected quickly, as the Chargers can’t afford to give up any extra ground to the Chiefs in a must-win game.

Chargers’ Derwin James named inaugural NFLPA first-team All-Pro

Chargers safety Derwin James earned another significant honor.

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) announced its first-ever Players’ All-Pro team on Wednesday, with those who made it selected strictly by NFL players themselves.

Players voted for those with the most impact during the season at their own position and those they lined up against.

Derwin James was selected first-team Players’ All-Pro, deemed the best strong safety in the NFL.

James, the do-it-all defender, finished the regular season with 115 tackles, five for loss, four sacks, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and an interception in 14 games.

James was also selected as the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November and named to his third Pro Bowl this year.

Here is the full list:

Chargers’ Derwin James speaks on ejection, hit on Colts WR Ashton Dulin

Derwin James said he was trying to make a play and had no intentions of hurting Ashton Dulin.

In Week 16 against the Colts, Chargers star safety Derwin James was ejected in the second quarter.

James lowered the crown of his helmet and connected it with the shoulder and neck of wide receiver Ashton Dulin.

James was flagged for unnecessary roughness and ultimately kicked out for the illegal hit on a defenseless receiver. Dulin was later ruled out with a concussion that caused him to miss the rest of the game.

James was also diagnosed with a concussion that sidelined him in last Sunday’s game against the Rams.

On Thursday, at his media availability, James said he was trying to make a play and had no intentions of hurting Dulin.

“I’m not a dirty player,” James said.

James is donned as one of the league’s best safeties, known for his ability to play multiple spots across the field at a high level. But he is also lauded for his physicality as a tackler.

“If you look at how I play every week, I’m not out to hurt nobody,” James said. “I don’t play the game that way. I wasn’t taught the game that way. I’m trying to play fast and aggressive for my team and make a play.”

The NFL decided not to suspend James for the hit, but he was still given a $25,462 fine.

James cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is back with the Chargers.

“I’m 100%,” James said.

Chargers final injury report ahead of matchup with Rams

Chargers star safety Derwin James is out.

The Chargers had their final practice on Friday before the Week 17 matchup with the Rams.

Los Angeles will be without star safety Derwin James, who was ruled out with a concussion he sustained in last Monday’s victory over the Colts.

With James out, Alohi Gilman will start in his place. Gilman has made four starts this season, logging 50 tackles, three passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception.

Fullback Zander Horvath is questionable with an ankle injury.

Chargers’ Derwin James in concussion protocol, will not be suspended for hit

Derwin James was ejected for leading with his helmet and launching himself into Ashton Dulin’s helmet on a hit.

Chargers star safety Derwin James has entered concussion protocol following Monday night’s win over the Colts, head coach Brandon Staley said at his post-game media availability.

James was ejected in the first quarter after hitting wide receiver Ashton Dulin in the head and neck area with the crown of his helmet. Dulin also didn’t return to the game after being diagnosed with a concussion.

Additionally, James will not be suspended for the hit on Dulin, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. However, Pelissero added James could still be fined.

Before being ejected, James had a leaping interception in the first quarter, marking his second of the season.

James returned to the playing field after missing Weeks 14 and 15 with a quadriceps injury.

When James left, Alohi Gilman was thrust into the action, where he was outstanding, replicating the level of play from the two previous games when he was the starter in place of James.

Chargers’ Derwin James could return to practice this week

The Chargers could be getting their star defender back at practice this week.

The Chargers could be getting their star defender back at practice this week.

According to head coach Brandon Staley, Derwin James could return to practice this week ahead of Monday’s game against the Colts.

“He’s progressing,” Staley said of James. “We are hoping to see him back in practice at some point this week. With the extra day, we’re going to make sure that we take full advantage of it, but I still consider him day-to-day.

He’s feeling better, for sure. If you were able to see him work out during pregame, he is trending in the right direction.”

James has missed the last two games due to a quadriceps injury he sustained in Week 13 against the Raiders.

Even without James on the field, Los Angeles still played at a high level in its victories over the Dolphins and Titans.

Over the past two weeks, the Bolts rank third in defensive DVOA.

Alohi Gilman, who’s filled in as the starter for James, has been playing really good football alongside Nasir Adderley.

Getting the do-it-all defender back will be huge as the Bolts hit the final three games of the season and likely into the playoffs.

Chargers’ Derwin James: “Never a doubt” contract extension would get done

There was never a doubt in Derwin James’ mind.

On Wednesday, we finally heard from a franchise cornerstone.

Safety Derwin James, fresh off a market-setting contract extension and his first practice of the offseason, told the media that “there was never a doubt” that a deal was going to get done.

James said he’ll be ready to fully practice by next week as he ramps back up into peak physical condition. Asked about James on Tuesday, head coach Brandon Staley said that his star safety was already in football shape thanks to his perfect attendance at the team facility as negotiations on his extension dragged on.

“Heck yeah, it was super hard,” said James of his absence from the field despite being around the team these past few weeks. “Everyone know how much I love football, how much I wanna be out here.”

You could tell James was ecstatic to be back in his element today. He beamed for almost the entirety of his interview and cracked a few jokes, telling one reporter that he planned to take Rams CB and close friend Jalen Ramsey to McDonald’s to celebrate.

And hey, who could blame him? $19.1 million a year can buy as much McDonald’s as Ramsey wants.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ Derwin James’ historic contract extension

Let’s take a look at some of the best reactions immediately after the Derwin James’ news broke.

The Chargers and Derwin James agreed to a massive four-year, $76.4 million contract extension on Wednesday, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.

As the two sides negotiated the logistics of the deal, James sat out 14 practices but still participated in team walk-throughs and agility drills while serving as a mentor to his younger teammates.

As Los Angeles looks to make a deep run this upcoming season and for the foreseeable future, ensuring the team’s defensive chess piece was locked up for years to come was a priority.

Let’s take a look at some of the best reactions immediately after the news broke.

Report: Chargers, Derwin James ‘optimistic’ about contract extension

The expectation is that Chargers’ Derwin James will be the league’s highest-paid safety.

Chargers safety Derwin James is in the final year of his rookie contract, the fifth-year option the team picked up last May.

Los Angeles wants to sign him to a long-term deal, and James wants to remain in the blue and gold, which is why they are optimistic an extension can be reached ahead of training camp, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler also notes that the expectation is that James will become the league’s highest-paid safety.

Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick reset the market last month when he signed a four-year, $72.988 million extension ($18.247 million AAV), the highest for a safety in the league.

After two injury-riddled seasons, James played his first full year since 2018.

With his ability to cover, stop the run, and pass rush, the queen piece on the chessboard finished with 118 tackles, seven for loss, five passes defended, two interceptions, and two sacks in 2021.

Now we wait and see what the presumed highest-paid safety’s earnings will look like.