Chargers place David Njoku, Charlie Kolar on injured reserve
The Chargers didn't just get roughed up on the scoreboard against the Raiders on Sunday. They actually ended up leaving the game down nearly half a dozen starters due to various injuries. On Monday, Jim Harbaugh shared the rough injury update with reporters.
Per Harbaugh, the Chargers are placing both tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar on injured reserve with fibula and forearm injuries, respectively. Njoku was carted off the field following his injury and Kolar was seen on the sideline early in the second half with a sling around his arm. Both Njoku and Kolar will miss at least four games.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Charlie Kolar #88 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesDavid Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) are going on injured reserve, per Jim Harbaugh
- Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 21, 2026
The Chargers have one tight end on its active roster.
Another rough part of Monday's update was that both left guard Kayode Awosika and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson are expected to "miss some time", although neither were put on injured reserve with the tight ends. By the sound of it, they'll both miss multiple games but neither were severe enough to warrant a spot on IR.
Jim Harbaugh said LG Kayode Awosika (fibula) and DT Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring) will miss time" with injuries
- Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 21, 2026
The Chargers have depth up front defensively to make up for Tomlinson's loss, but the Awosika injury will drastically hurt an interior offenisve line group that already was missing Trey Pipkins who has been the team's backup at left guard.
After Awosika exited Sunday's game, veteran Trevor Penning was in at left guard. Penning also was in at right guard for Cole Strange on their first scoring drive.