Tag: Los Angeles Chargers

Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets head coach Adam Gase looks on prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Reports: Ex-Dolphins, Jets coach Adam Gase joins Chargers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Miami Dolphins and New York Jets head coach Adam Gase is returning to the NFL as the Los Angeles Chargers’ pass game coordinator, multiple outlets reported Monday.

Gase, 47, has not worked in the NFL since the Jets fired him after a 2-14 season in 2020.

He went 23-25 with the Dolphins from 2016-18 and 9-23 with the Jets from 2019-20.

Last month, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh hired another former Miami head coach, Mike McDaniel, to replace Greg Roman as offensive coordinator.

Gase rose to prominence as an offensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos (2013-14) and Chicago Bears (2015) before becoming a head coach.

He coached Denver’s wide receivers (2009-10) and quarterbacks (2011-12) before becoming the OC. He also spent time on the staffs of the San Francisco 49ers (2008) and Detroit Lions (2005-07) after starting his coaching career on Nick Saban’s staff at LSU (2000-02).

–Field Level Media

Report: Chargers DT Teair Tart gets 3-year extension

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The Los Angeles Chargers are signing defensive tackle Teair Tart to a three-year extension, multiple outlets reported Monday.

The Athletic reported the deal is worth up to $37.5 million, while ESPN reported Tart will receive $20 million guaranteed.

Tart, 28, started all 17 games this season and tallied 32 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery while playing on a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

Undrafted in 2020, Tart has recorded 140 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 81 games (53 starts) for the Tennessee Titans (2020-23), Houston Texans (2023) and Chargers.

–Field Level Media

Chargers eliminate Chiefs from playoff race; Patrick Mahomes injured late

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Justin Herbert threw for 210 yards and one touchdown as the Los Angeles Chargers eliminated the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 road victory on Sunday.

The Chiefs (6-8) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014 as their comeback short-circuited when quarterback Patrick Mahomes departed with 1:53 remaining with an apparent left knee injury. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes will undergo an MRI either Sunday or Monday.

Mahomes was leading the Chiefs on a drive into Chargers’ territory when he was tackled from behind by Da’Shawn Hand while tossing an incomplete pass. He was replaced by Gardner Minshew, who was intercepted by Derwin James Jr. at the 18-yard line with 14 seconds remaining.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith caught his first career touchdown pass for the Chargers and Cameron Dicker made three field goals as Los Angeles (10-4) won its third consecutive game and kept its hopes alive for an AFC West title.

Mahomes completed 16 of 28 passes for 189 yards and opened the scoring with a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce each had seven receptions for a combined 121 yards.

In a hard-hitting game, the Chiefs absorbed a number of injuries. A second leg injury in two quarters knocked right tackle Jaylon Moore from the game. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy missed time while being examined for a possible concussion while wide receiver Tyquan Thornton took a blow to the head from Tony Jefferson in the fourth quarter for which Jefferson was ejected. Then came Mahomes’ injury.

The Chiefs got off to a fast start, going 68 yards on 11 plays with their opening drive to take a 7-0 lead with Mahomes’ 12-yard run up the middle.

The Chargers made it 7-3 late in the first quarter on Dicker’s 49-yard field goal. The Chiefs matched it with Harrison Butker’s 27-yard kick with 8:04 left in the half. Another Butker field goal, this one from 47 yards, gave the Chiefs a 13-3 lead with 38 seconds remaining before halftime.

It was more than enough time for Herbert to take the Chargers 60 yards on five plays with Lambert-Smith catching a 16-yard TD pass at the back of the end zone to pull Los Angeles within 13-10 at halftime.

Dicker pulled the Chargers even at 13-13 with a 23-yard field goal with 8:55 remaining in the third quarter.

Los Angeles took its first lead of the game at 16-13 with 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter on another 49-yard field goal from Dicker.

–Field Level Media

Chargers QB Justin Herbert breaks bone in non-throwing hand vs. Raiders

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert broke a bone in his left, non-throwing hand and will undergo a procedure on Monday, coach Jim Harbaugh said after Sunday’s 31-14 home win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Herbert was injured in the first quarter on a 1-yard scramble, then threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston on the next play for a 7-0 lead after the Chargers’ first possession.

Trey Lance replaced Herbert for eight plays before the starter returned to finish the game. Herbert was 15 of 20 for 151 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Lance completed his lone pass for 9 yards. Herbert, 27, also rushed three times for 8 yards.

Harbaugh was uncertain if Herbert will miss any games. Herbert wore a glove on his left hand and what appeared to be a splint on his middle fingers after re-entering the game.

“I know that he’s as tough as they come,” Harbaugh said. “You know, taped it up, (wore a) glove and played a great game.”

The Chargers (8-4) play next against the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) at home in Inglewood, Calif., with Herbert having an extra day to recover as the game is next Monday night.

“I’m treating it as if I’m playing on Monday,” Herbert said. “I think they’re very hopeful for that. So, I think that’s just something that we’ll see tomorrow and get a feel for.”

–Field Level Media

Chargers, Raiders both trying to fix pass-protection issues

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After an extra week to think about a dreadful defeat that has complicated their playoff outlook, the Los Angeles Chargers can savor a matchup with the reeling Las Vegas Chargers on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.

From there, the road becomes far less predictable.

When last on the field, the Chargers (7-4) were blasted 35-6 by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 16 after a disastrous offensive showing. A bye week gave Los Angeles a chance to sort out its issues with a meeting against the Raiders (2-9) ahead.

But as November gives way to December, the schedule ramps up in intensity. The Chargers currently are playoff eligible but next month opens with consecutive games against last season’s Super Bowl foes in the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

The season closes with some resurgent teams in the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.

It only figures to get more difficult for Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert, who has been sacked 35 times, fourth most in the NFL. Against the Jaguars, he had a career-low 81 yards passing, was sacked twice and was checked for a concussion late in the first half.

With the offense going nowhere at Jacksonville, head coach Jim Harbaugh turned the fourth quarter over to backup quarterback Trey Lance.

It was Harbaugh’s worst loss in two seasons with the Chargers.

“It’s been the same stuff that we’ve said week after week,” Herbert said about what has been discussed post-bye week. “I have to do a better job of not turning the ball over, not taking those sacks. I think when we’re in rhythm and moving the ball, I think we play pretty well.”

The offensive line play has been a disaster for Los Angeles and improvements will be difficult with Joe Alt out for the season.

The Raiders won’t offer the Chargers any sympathy for their offensive issues. Las Vegas fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly this week in the first step toward fixing a group that is third worst in the NFL with 268.9 yards per game, next to last with 79.5 yards rushing and tied for worst at 15.0 points per game.

Like the Chargers, the Raiders’ offensive line will be out to prove itself.

Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith is one of three players who has been sacked more than Herbert, with his 41 sacks second most in the NFL. He was dropped 10 times in a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns last weekend.

“I try my best to not look at the rush, but to feel the rush,” Smith said. “But when you’re facing a great defensive line, similar to the Browns, you have got to speed up the process. Those are the things that I tried to do last week. Obviously, it wasn’t good enough.”

Rookie running back Ashton Jeany has 604 yards in a rushing attack that has delivered below expectations. He has scored four touchdowns on the ground and another four in the air on 37 receptions.

Since a 12-catch, 127-yard, three-TD day against the Jaguars on Nov. 2, tight end Brock Bowers has 14 receptions for 158 yards and no TDs over his last three games combined.

All of those efforts ended up in Las Vegas defeats with the team on a five-game losing streak.

As the Chargers opened the 21-day practice window for rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on Wednesday, everybody participated in practice to some extent. Not practicing for the Raiders were tight end Michael Mayer and offensive lineman Jordan Meredith, both with ankle injuries.

–Field Level Media

Jaguars’ defense suffocates Justin Herbert, Chargers 35-6

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Trevor Lawrence directed five touchdown drives and Travis Etienne ran for a pair of TDs Sunday afternoon as the Jacksonville Jaguars rolled to a 35-6 rout of the visiting Los Angeles Chargers, whose offense rarely was on the field.

Lawrence completed 14 of 22 passes for 153 yards before exiting in the fourth as the Jaguars (6-4) posted their most lopsided win this season after dropping three of their previous four. He helped the Jaguars hold possession for 37:55 minutes, including nearly 16 1/2 minutes on two drives that turned a 14-6 halftime lead into a rout and helped the Jaguars finish with a season-high 30 first downs.

Lawrence scored on a 1-yard run with 7:50 left in the third, then found Tim Patrick in the back of the end zone three minutes into the fourth on a 1-yard toss to give Jacksonville a 28-6 lead.

Etienne scored from 2 yards out on a direct snap with about 3 1/2 minutes left in the first half. He rumbled in for a 13-yard score to cap the scoring two plays after Anthony Johnson intercepted Justin Herbert and returned it 44 yards with 11:02 left in the game.

Etienne ran 15 times for 73 yards while rookie Bhayshul Tuten finished with 74 yards on 15 carries.

Herbert completed 10 of 18 passes for a career-low 81 yards and was lifted for Trey Lance in the fourth quarter. Herbert was sacked twice and briefly spent time in the blue medical tent after being hit by B.J. Green III with 34 seconds left in the first half.

Los Angeles (7-4) saw a three-game winning streak halted, finishing with eight first downs and 135 yards of total offense.

The Chargers took a 3-0 lead on Cameron Dicker’s 41-yard field goal with 3:35 left in first before Tuten withstood two defenders for a 4-yard run up the middle with no time left in the first.

Los Angeles settled for another field goal by Dicker after Herbert was sacked by Josh Hines-Allen for a 14-yard loss with 8:56 left. The Jaguars extended the lead to 14-6 when Etienne scored on a direct snap in the wildcat with 3:37 left in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Chargers’ defense dominates in win over Steelers

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Kimani Vidal rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown and the Los Angeles Chargers held Pittsburgh to 221 total yards while notching a 25-10 victory over the Steelers on Sunday night at Inglewood, Calif.

Justin Herbert completed 20 of 33 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown and Cameron Dicker kicked three field goals for the Chargers (7-3). Ladd McConkey had four catches for 107 yards and one score, Khalil Mack recorded a safety and RJ Mickens and Donte Jackson had interceptions for Los Angeles.

Aaron Rodgers completed 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Pittsburgh (5-4). Alex Highsmith registered two sacks for the second straight game for the Steelers.

Keenan Allen had two catches to give him 956 career receptions with the Chargers, breaking the franchise record set by Hall of Famer Antonio Gates (955).

The Steelers lost cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) in the second quarter.

Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell kicked a 59-yard field goal with 10:25 left in the opening quarter before Los Angeles scored the next 25 points.

The Chargers got their first points when Mack sacked Rodgers in the end zone for a safety with 5:09 left in the quarter.

Los Angeles took a 5-3 lead on Dicker’s 32-yard field goal with 7:32 left in the second quarter.

The lead grew to nine when Herbert tossed a 15-yard scoring pass to McConkey with 12 seconds remaining in the half.

Dicker tacked on a 59-yard field goal to equal his career best to make it 15-3 with 6:07 left in the third quarter.

Pittsburgh had just five first downs in the first three quarters but managed to reach the Chargers’ 10-yard line early in the fourth quarter. But the Steelers came up empty when Rodgers’ fourth-and-6 pass to DK Metcalf was broken up in the end zone by Cam Hart with 12:41 left.

Los Angeles responded with a six-play, 90-yard drive. The highlight was Herbert’s 58-yard pass to McConkey and it set up Vidal’s 2-yard run to make it 22-3 with 9:26 remaining in the game.

Any chance of a Pittsburgh rally was quickly squashed. Rodgers threw a pass that went off the hands of Calvin Austin and into those of Jackson. Then when the Chargers were forced to punt, Ke’Shawn Williams muffed it and Del’Shawn Phillips recovered for Los Angeles at the Steelers’ 21.

The miscue set up Dicker’s 42-yard field goal to boost the lead to 22 with 4:54 remaining.

Roman Wilson caught Rodgers’ short pass and turned it into a 27-yard score with 2:57 left.

–Field Level Media

August 23, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Chargers placing LB Khalil Mack (elbow) on IR, expect return this season

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The Los Angeles Chargers are placing star linebacker Khalil Mack on injured reserve due to a dislocated left elbow and he must miss at least four weeks, coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday afternoon.

“He’s going to miss some time … (but) he’s like the Wolverine,” Harbaugh said in referencing the self-healing powers of the fictional character of Marvel comic books and movies. “The rules say four weeks, but we’ll see.”

Mack was hurt on the final play of the first quarter of the 20-9 win over host Loas Vegas on Monday night. Mack’s arm got momentarily stuck against the body of teammate Troy Dye as both players were in pursuit of Raiders wideout Tre Tucker. Mack had his left arm twist awkwardly, and he immediately scurried to the sideline.

He was initially looked at in the medical tent and came out and appeared to be in intense pain. He then was taken from the field. He was ruled out by the Chargers just after he returned to the sideline during the two-minute warning of the first half with his left arm heavily wrapped and sporting a sling.

“He’s a great player, it’s one of the toughest things I’ve ever seen,” Harbaugh said of the injury. “I was staring right at it; he wasn’t going to go sit on the field or lay down on the field.

“He came off the field and I think told Sal (Lopez), one of our trainers, ‘Get out of my way.’ I’ve had an arm injury or two, those are painful,” Harbaugh added. “It’s a new level of respect for the toughness of Khalil Mack … he’s got the power of healing.”

Mack, 34, recorded a sack of Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith in the opening quarter. It was his first of the season and raised his career count to 108.5.

The nine-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro spent his first four NFL seasons with the then-Oakland Raiders (2014-17) and also played four seasons with the Chicago Bears (2018-21). He is in his fourth season with the Chargers.

The Chargers also start Tuli Tuipulotu as an edge rusher and could start veteran Bud Dupree in Mack’s place. Caleb Murphy and rookie Kyle Kennard are listed as reserves on the team depth chart.

“Tuli, he played a heck of game. 52 or 54 snaps, six quarterback pressures, TFL, PBUs. He really played well,” Harbaugh said. “Also thought Bud played well and Caleb Murphy played his most snaps of his career, right around 30s, low 30s and affected the game.

“It’ll be an opportunity for Kyle Kennard,” Harbaugh added. “And (defensive lineman) Justin Eboigbe as well. He had 12 plays on the edge, 12 of his 15 plays were out there and he added real good support, too. Opportunity.”

–Field Level Media

May 20, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (22) catches the ball during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: Chargers elevate RB Najee Harris (eye) from non-football injury list

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The Los Angeles Chargers are activating running back Najee Harris from the non-football injury list, the NFL Network reported on Tuesday.

Harris missed the start of training camp as he recovers from an offseason eye injury. He was limited to conditioning work before increasing his participation in football drills, starting Aug. 12. He did not play in the preseason.

Harris, 27, has been on the non-football injury list since the start of camp after sustaining what his agent, Doug Hendrickson, described as a “superficial eye injury” during a July 4 fireworks mishap. The Chargers have not disclosed details of the injury, in line with head coach Jim Harbaugh’s practice of withholding specifics during the preseason.

The Chargers open the season Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.

If Harris remained on the NFI list when rosters are finalized, he would be forced to miss the first four games. Coming off the list and practicing starts a three-week window to make the active roster. If he’s not moved to the roster, he has to stay on the NFI list for the rest of the season.

Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Chargers in the offseason, which could be worth up to an additional $4 million if he meets all incentives for rushing yardage. Harris and first-round draft pick Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) are expected to be the team’s primary ball carriers.

Harris topped 1,000 rushing yards in all four of his seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has 4,312 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns in 68 NFL games (all starts). The Steelers selected him 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, and Harris made the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Rookie team that season. He became a free agent after the 2024 season.

–Field Level Media

May 12, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston (1) during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston exits on cart from preseason game vs. Rams

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston left the preseason game against the host Los Angeles Rams on a medical cart after taking a big hit on the third play from scrimmage on Saturday in Inglewood, Calif.

Johnston was injured on an incomplete deep sideline pass from quarterback Justin Herbert when Rams safety Tanner Ingle hit him. Johnston lay on his back with his arms outstretched and was motionless for several moments at SoFi Stadium. Trainers, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal checked on him.

While players from both teams knelt and medical personnel tended to him, Johnston eventually moved his arms and legs, then sat up and walked to the cart that took him off the field.

Johnston, who turns 24 on Sept. 6, caught 55 passes on 91 targets last season for 711 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns in 15 regular season games (11 starts). He has 93 career receptions for 1,142 yards and 10 TDs in 32 regular season games (21 starts).

The Chargers selected Johnston with the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of TCU.

–Field Level Media