Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (9) during organized team activities at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers open practice window for WR DJ Chark

The Los Angeles Chargers designated DJ Chark for return from injured reserve, opening the wide receiver’s 21-day practice window.

Chark was back at practice Wednesday after missing the team’s first five games with a hip injury.

Chark signed a one-year contract worth $3 million with the Chargers in May. The Chargers signed Chark as a free agent after losing veterans Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) in free agency.

Chark, 28, caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) last season with the Carolina Panthers.

He has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 scores in 69 games (51 starts) with the Panthers, Detroit Lions (2022) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21), who drafted the 2019 Pro Bowl selection in the second round in 2018.

It’s unclear if Chark will be activated for the Chargers’ (3-2) game against the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) on Monday night.

–Field Level Media

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (9) during organized team activities at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers place WR DJ Chark (hip) on injured reserve

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark will miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve on Saturday.

Chark had missed the entire week of practice because of a hip injury and already was ruled out of the season opener Sunday against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers have a bye in Week 5 and visit the Denver Broncos on Oct. 13 in Week 6.

The Chargers had signed Chark, who turns 28 on Sept. 23, as a free agent in May after losing veterans Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets). Chark was listed as a starter on the depth chart along with Quentin Johnston, their top draft pick in 2023, and Joshua Palmer, a third-round selection in 2021. Los Angeles drafted Ladd McConkey in the second round in April.

Chark, 27, caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) last season with the Carolina Panthers.

He has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 scores in 69 games (51 starts) with the Panthers, Detroit Lions (2022) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21), who drafted the 2019 Pro Bowl selection in the second round in 2018.

In a corresponding move Saturday, the Chargers signed tight end Eric Tomlinson to the active roster and also elevated linebacker Shaquille Quarterman from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Tomlinson, 32, has played in 85 career games (53 starts) for the New York Jets (2016-18), Oakland Raiders (2019), New England Patriots (2019), New York Giants (2019-20), Baltimore Ravens (2020-21) and Denver Broncos (2022). He has 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. He was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 27.

Quarterman, 26, played the past four seasons in Jacksonville after the Jaguars selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Miami. He has played in 63 games (no starts) and had 54 tackles and one forced fumble.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) makes a catch  during pregame warm ups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chargers add wide receiver DJ Chark

Free agent wideout DJ Chark has agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple reports.

The contract could be worth up to $5 million with all incentives, according to CBS Sports.

Veteran receivers Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) departed this offseason, leaving the Chargers with vacancies to fill in the passing game for quarterback Justin Herbert.

The Chargers used the draft to start filling some of those holes, selecting Georgia’s Ladd McConkey with the 34th overall pick. They added two more receivers in the seventh round, picking Cornelius Johnson out of Michigan and USC’s Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice.

Chark, 27, caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) last season with the Carolina Panthers.

He has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 scores in 69 games (51 starts) with the Panthers, Detroit Lions (2022) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21), who drafted the 2019 Pro Bowl selection in the second round in 2018.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) makes a catch  during pregame warm ups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Free agent WR DJ Chark visits Chargers

Free agent wideout DJ Chark visited the receiver-needy Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, NFL Network reported.

Veteran receivers Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) departed this offseason, leaving the Chargers with holes to fill in the passing game for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Chark, 27, caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) last season with the Carolina Panthers.

He has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 scores in 69 games (51 starts) with the Panthers, Detroit Lions (2022) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21), who drafted the 2019 Pro Bowler in the second round in 2018.

New head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers also have the No. 5 overall pick next week. Several mock drafts have them selecting a wide receiver, either Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU’s Malik Nabers.

The receivers currently on the L.A. roster include 2023 draft picks Quentin Johnston (first round) and Derius Davis (fourth) and three-year veteran Joshua Palmer.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;  Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark (17) runs with the ball while being chased by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson (34) in the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers WR DJ Chark (hamstring) ruled out vs. Falcons

Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark on Friday was ruled out for the team’s season opener against the host Atlanta Falcons.

Chark turned in a limited practice on Friday after missing the first two sessions of the week due to a hamstring injury.

Rookie quarterback Bryce Young could be without another wideout in his NFL debut, too. Adam Thielen, who is nursing an ankle injury, was limited in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Terrace Marshall, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Laviska Shenault Jr. and rookie Jonathan Mingo are the other members of the wide-receiver room for the Panthers.

Chark, 26, had 30 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games (10 starts) last season for the Detroit Lions. He signed a one-year, $5 million contract with Carolina in March.

Through 54 career games (40 starts), Chark has 177 catches for 2,544 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21) and Lions (2022).

Thielen, 33, is in his first season with the Panthers after playing with the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-22. The two-time Pro Bowl selection (2017-18) has 534 receptions for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns in 135 career games (101 starts).

In 2022, Thielen started all 17 games and finished with 70 catches, 716 yards and six TDs.

–Field Level Media

Aug 18, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) reacts after a catch during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers WR DJ Chark sidelined with hamstring injury

The Carolina Panthers’ receiving corps caught another tough break on Wednesday as DJ Chark didn’t practice due to a hamstring injury.

Coach Frank Reich downplayed the situation.

“I don’t want to sound glib about anything,” Reich said on the Panthers’ official site, “but I’ve just been involved in enough games that you have a ding here, a ding there.

“I don’t overreact to something. First, I’ve got to find out what’s the severity of it. Or, if a guy gets something, exactly where are we at on that? I just don’t overreact to those things.”

The potential setback further complicates the landscape for the rookie starting quarterback, No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

Fellow receivers Terrace Marshall Jr., Damiere Byrd and Laviska Shenault Jr. also are fighting various ailments as well.

Chark, 26, had 30 receptions for 502 yards in 11 games last season for the Detroit Lions. The second-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 signed a one-year contract with Carolina in March.

Through 54 NFL games (40 starts), Chark has 177 receptions for 2,544 yards and 18 touchdowns.

-Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff (16) (not pictured) against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers signing WR DJ Chark to 1-year deal

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with wide receiver DJ Chark on a one-year deal, NFL Network reported Friday.

Chark, 26, caught 30 passes for 502 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games (10 starts) in his first season with the Detroit Lions in 2022.

Chark missed six games last season with an ankle injury after sitting out the final 13 games of 2021 with the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a broken ankle.

A second-round pick in 2018 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2019, Chark has 177 catches for 2,544 yards and 18 TDs in 54 games (40 starts) with the Jaguars and Lions.

Chark joins a revamped Carolina offense under new coach Frank Reich that includes fellow free-signees running back Miles Sanders, wide receiver Adam Thielen, tight end Hayden Hurst and quarterback Andy Dalton.

The Panthers also acquired the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in a trade with the Chicago Bears. They are widely expected to select a quarterback.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates a touchdown against the Washington Commanders   with teammates wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) and wide receiver DJ Chark (4) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports

Lions WR DJ Chark practices for first time since September

DJ Chark practiced Wednesday with the Detroit Lions for the first time since injuring his ankle Sept. 25.

Chark, 26, caught a touchdown pass in Week 1 and collected seven receptions in the first three games before missing six games with an ankle injury. He landed on injured reserve on Oct. 22.

“We’re going to let him run around today, we’re going to start his clock,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday. “Just let him do some individual work today and see how he feels.”

Chark, who broke his ankle and missed the final 13 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, signed a one-year, $10 million deal for 2022. He can be activated in the next 21 days but doesn’t count toward the 53-man roster while he upramps from injured reserve.

The Lions also updated the status of rookie first-round pick Jameson Williams, who is on the comeback trail from a torn ACL and MCL at Alabama.

Campbell indicated Williams might be able to practice in a limited fashion as soon as next week, but the short week with a Thanksgiving Day game makes a post-Week 12 return more likely.

The Lions host the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving and have a Week 13 home game on Dec. 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I would say probably after Thanksgiving sometime, would be the best way (to put it),” Campbell said. “I think that’s tentatively what we’re looking at. I don’t know if that would be the Jacksonville week or the week after. It could be next week. We’re not doing a ton, but he’s close. It certainly won’t be this week. I don’t see him playing, there again, before Thanksgiving. But we’ll see where it goes. He’s progressing. There’s no setback.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) against the Denver Broncos at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars’ DJ Chark (ankle) to miss rest of season

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark will miss the remainder of the season due to a fractured ankle, coach Urban Meyer said Monday.

Chark sustained the injury while blocking on a running play during the Jaguars’ 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 30. Chark’s leg was rolled up on by teammates James Robinson and Jawaan Taylor as Robinson gained six yards on Jacksonville’s third offensive snap of the game.

Chark, 25, will finish this season with seven catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

He has caught 147 passes for 2,042 yards and 15 touchdowns in 43 games (30 starts) over four NFL seasons. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 when he recorded career bests of 73 receptions, 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns.

The second-round pick in 2018 is in the final season of his rookie contract. He is slated to become a free agent following the season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) against the Denver Broncos at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jaguars WR DJ Chark (ankle) may miss rest of season

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark “most likely” will need surgery after sustaining a fractured ankle on the team’s first series in Thursday night’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Network reported.

Per the report, Chark is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Chark was injured on the running play in which he was blocking. Chark’s leg got rolled up on by teammates James Robinson and Jawaan Taylor as Robinson gained 6 yards on Jacksonville’s third offensive snap of the game.

Chark was carted off the field with 13:36 left in the first quarter.

Chark, who turned 25 one week ago, had seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the Jaguars’ first three games this season. He overcame a broken finger during the summer but healed in time to play in Week 1.

He’s recorded 147 receptions for 2,042 yards and 15 touchdowns in 43 career games since the Jaguars selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media