Chargers Star Derwin James Faces IR Stint After Hamstring Setback

The Los Angeles Chargers could be without Derwin James for an extended stretch. The veteran safety, already sidelined since Week 3 with a hamstring injury, has suffered a setback in his recovery and could now land on injured reserve, according to a report published on October 28. James is one of the Chargers' most important defensive players, a versatile star capable of lining up all over the secondary. His absence has already tested the depth of the Los Angeles defence, and a move to injured reserve would rule him out for at least four more games at a crucial point of the season. The setback also arrives with the November 10 trade deadline approaching, and James had already been the subject of trade chatter earlier in October. For now, though, the Chargers' priority is getting their defensive leader healthy, with the latest setback a reminder of how carefully hamstring injuries must be managed.