Chargers safety Derwin James will be placed on injured reserve beginning Week 1 when the team hosts the Colts on Sept. 8, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
James is expected to miss three to four months, even though no timetable has been set. He won’t be eligible to return until Week 9, which will be a home game against the Packers. He can start practicing after six weeks.
James underwent successful surgery to repair a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot on Thursday. The surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson, who also treated defensive end Joey Bosa’s foot last year.
James had a screw inserted in his foot as a freshman at Florida State. Doctors determined the screw bent last week in Thursday’s joint practice with the Saints and it needed to be removed.
Not having James on the field is a huge blow to Los Angeles. It will be hard to replace a player like him, but they have some quality reinforcements until he returns.
Adrian Phillips will get the first crack at strong safety, but Rayshawn Jenkins, Jaylen Watkins, Desmond King and Nasir Adderley are all versatile pieces that are capable of manning the spot and can be moved around in the secondary.
