The Los Angeles Chargers announced their inactive players Sunday morning and there were two notable starters on that list; wide receiver DJ Chark who has been dealing with a groin injury and cornerback Kristian Fulton with a lingering hamstring injury. Both were featured on the injury report but were not ruled out until game day. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reported that Chark was seen warming up with the team.
Still No Chark
Chark was added to the team in free agency and went down with an injury ahead of the season and has been on the injured reserve since. But on Saturday it was announced that Chark would be added to the active roster and was ready to play despite being listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.
Chark spent 2023 with the Carolina Panthers. He caught 35 passes on 62 targets for 525 yards and five touchdowns. He led that team in touchdown receptions and was the second-leading receiver by yards. He will now get playing time on his fourth team in as many years.
They will also get wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis, as well as, pass-catching tight end Hayden Hurst back this week. The trio has been out of commission since Week 6 against the Denver Broncos. The Chargers’ two top receivers, Ladd McConkey and Will Dissly were also featured on the injury report both are expected to play on Sunday.
No Fulton For Chargers
Kristian Fulton, another key offseason free-agent addition, has been a mainstay in the secondary, he has played almost 72 percent of defensive snaps, most among all corners. This positional group has been stricken with a rash of injuries. Asante Samuel Jr. was put on the injured reserve three weeks ago. Fulton has been hampered with this injury over the last three games.
They have been forced to rely on rookie fifth-rounder Cam Hart. To Hart’s credit, he has played well since being given more playing time. He has allowed just six receptions on 12 targets for only 56 yards. In their game against the Arizona Cardinals, they put Hart to the test throwing his direction seven times. He allowed four catches for just 44 yards.
Ja’Sir Taylor was the only other defensive back listed on the injury report. He was ruled in for this game.
