{"id":201484,"date":"2024-11-21T19:45:04","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T00:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=201484"},"modified":"2024-11-21T19:26:19","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T00:26:19","slug":"former-pro-bowl-receiver-is-now-a-healthy-scratch-for-chargers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/11\/21\/former-pro-bowl-receiver-is-now-a-healthy-scratch-for-chargers\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Pro-Bowl Receiver Is Now A Healthy Scratch for Chargers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Los Angeles Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/08\/20\/chargers-general-manager-never-sleeps-recapping-recent-transactions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">has been a busy man throughout his first year<\/a> with the Bolts. He has gone out and signed <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/10\/19\/meet-chargers-unsung-hero-elijah-molden\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">unsung heroes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/11\/10\/checking-in-on-the-chargers-2024-rookie-class-the-best-draft-in-the-nfl\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">drafted steals <\/a>and looked for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/11\/15\/chargers-offseason-steal-went-from-healthy-scratch-to-anchor-for-top-unit\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">reclamation projects<\/a>. However, one of his swings&#8230; ended up as a miss. That would be former 1000-yard receiver, D.J. Chark.<\/p>\n<h2>Former Pro-Bowl Receiver Is Now A Healthy Scratch for Chargers<\/h2>\n<h3>DJ Chark: His Career Leading up to His Signing<\/h3>\n<p>DJ Chark was drafted in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars to help sure up their receiving room. As a size\/speed archetype of a receiver, the sky was the limit for the LSU product.<\/p>\n<p>After a tough rookie season, Chark bounced back and had a pro-bowl season. He recorded 1008 yards and eight touchdowns with a poor quarterback situation. A<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/01\/13\/dj-chark-headlines-jacksonville-jaguars-2019-superlatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"> young receiver in his second season who already reached a Pro Bowl<\/a> is a good sign for any NFL player.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This is an insane catch by DJ Chark.<\/p>\n<p>Won&#39;t get much attention because it didn&#39;t gain a lot of yards but look where the ball was when he finally got his head around.<\/p>\n<p>Cat-like reflexes or Jaguar-like <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sLGfX54cZy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/sLGfX54cZy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FB_FilmAnalysis\/status\/1174163042143096833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 18, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>His very next season was riddled with injuries, but he still toughed out 13 games and 706 yards with five touchdowns. This pattern would continue, wherein <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/10\/25\/dj-chark-to-miss-remainder-of-the-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">the very next season he only played four games<\/a> and did not get a contract extension from the Jaguars.<\/p>\n<p>He would <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/03\/15\/dj-chark-signs-contract\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">move onto Detroit in a high-flying offense<\/a>, and carve out a strong role in the offense. Still battling through injuries, Chark would play 11 games and record 502 yards and three touchdowns.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">DJ CHARK DO DO, DO DO DO DO<\/p>\n<p>LIONS BACK IN FRONT<br \/> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fSxUFBkpbi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/fSxUFBkpbi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BSMotorCity\/status\/1602017717283954688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 11, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Detroit opted to give their first-round rookie, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WillJa11.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jameson Williams<\/a> a bigger role in his second season, allowing Chark to walk in free agency.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/03\/24\/dj-chark-signs-contract-with-carolina-panthers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Chark&#8217;s last stop before the Bolts was Carolina.<\/a> A terrible offense. Chark made the most of it, earning 525 yards and five touchdowns while staying healthy for the majority of the season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">DJ Chark with the grab \ud83d\ude4c <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Yefz6IpORQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Yefz6IpORQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers\/status\/1738994537798717671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>The Excitement Brewing in the Offseason for the Former Pro-Bowl Receiver<\/h3>\n<p>The Chargers saw his production in a poor situation, and a chance for him to go back to his pro-bowl level status with super-star quarterback, Justin Herbert.<\/p>\n<p>He was signed to the team on May 2nd, 2024.<\/p>\n<p>During the off-season, Chark was catching passes from Herbert, working with the first team. He looked like the featured receiver in the offense, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/07\/04\/who-is-the-chargers-starting-x-receiver-in-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">the solution to the Chargers &#8220;X&#8221; receiver problem<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With highlight-level plays brewing, the thought was that <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/10\/17\/what-to-expect-from-chargers-dj-chark\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Chark could bring the dynamism<\/a> that was desperately missing in 2023.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">DJ Chark has played well: here\u2019s a 60 yard TD from today <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aijIw1w139\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/aijIw1w139<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/krisrhim1\/status\/1818410015889539354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 30, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>A Swift Reminder of the Risk Associated With the Signing of DJ Chark<\/h3>\n<p>Unfortunately for Chark, his injury issues followed him to Los Angeles. He was placed on injured reserve a day before the Bolts first regular season game. Chark would end up missing eight games, making his return against the Tennessee Titans. He did not register a stat.<\/p>\n<p>A weird situation for the Chargers receiver&#8217;s first week back. Maybe he was still recovering from his injury, so the hope was this last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, he would be back to help <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/11\/19\/the-huge-special-teams-play-that-ignited-a-chargers-playoff-run\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">this Chargers team go on a run<\/a> against this tough schedule coming up.<\/p>\n<p>He was a healthy scratch dressed in street clothes.<\/p>\n<p>So what is going on with the former Pro-Bowl receiver?<\/p>\n<h3>Why Is Chark Riding the Bench?<\/h3>\n<p>This situation has been very closed off from the Chargers coaching staff and front office. There has been little information on Chark&#8217;s situation with the team.<\/p>\n<p>This has led me to believe that there are two possible answers to why he is not playing.<\/p>\n<h3>A Set-in-Stone Receiving Corps<\/h3>\n<p>The Chargers are on a roll, winning four games in a row, doing so while scoring more than 26 in every game.<\/p>\n<p>As the cliche goes, &#8220;if it ain&#8217;t broke, don&#8217;t fix it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>What isn&#8217;t broken is the Chargers receiver room. The Chargers boast <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/10\/29\/should-the-chargers-trade-for-a-receiver-after-the-ladd-mcconkey-breakout\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">rookie of the year candidate, Ladd McConkey<\/a> who is on pace for over 1000 yards and to be the Chargers featured receiver for years to come.<\/p>\n<p>This coupled with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/09\/17\/chargers-receiver-once-named-a-bust-breaks-out-can-he-do-it-again\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">former first-round selection, Quentin Johnston&#8217;s continued evolution<\/a>, and the consistent play of the now veteran, Joshua Palmer, the Chargers really do not have a lot of need in the receiving room.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">People wrote Quentin Johnston off way too early. Happy to see his success this season. <\/p>\n<p> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HB8MFIadrW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/HB8MFIadrW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Kevin (@Daboys_22) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Daboys_22\/status\/1858350578868584748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>To build in-season chemistry over players who have been with Herbert for a long time\/been healthy all year long is really hard to do. Chark finds himself in an uphill battle for offensive snaps for the Chargers.<\/p>\n<p>To play devil&#8217;s advocate; adding a player of his caliber shouldn&#8217;t ever be a &#8220;hard no&#8221; like it has been for the Chargers. The situation remains odd, and it could be my next point.<\/p>\n<h3>Possibly Still Not Fully Healthy &#8211; Even With The Coaching Staff Saying He Is?<\/h3>\n<p>It isn&#8217;t often a player like Chark comes back from the injury reserve return window and is still hurt. The team wouldn&#8217;t otherwise designate his return and lose a roster spot if he was not ready.<\/p>\n<p>If they jumped the gun a week, then that is within the understandability of error. However, two weeks into his return, he went from playing one snap of offense to not even suiting up against a good team.<\/p>\n<p>It should be noted that Harbaugh has come out and said that <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alexinsdorf99\/status\/1856371847727591566\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chark simply has not earned playing time over certain Chargers receivers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, Harbaugh as great as Harbaugh is, what comes out of his mouth to the media should always be taken with a grain of salt. Especially with injury-related information.<\/p>\n<p>The possibility that he is still hurt and unfortunately not in good enough health to perform at his best, and the Chargers misread his injury situation and hoped he would &#8220;tough it out&#8221; is very real.<\/p>\n<p>Expecting a triumphant, strong return out of Chark is likely not in the fold for this season with the Chargers. The goal for him is to get fully healthy and carve out a role with the team in the future. There are still seven regular-season games left in the season. He could very well be the ace in the Chargers back pocket for the playoffs.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main Photo Courtesy of Kirby Lee &#8211; Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the top Chargers signings was former Pro-Bowl receiver, DJ Chark. How and why is he on the bench after returning from injured reserve?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4709,"featured_media":201538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[7642,3953,1652,9577,32330],"class_list":["post-201484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chargers","tag-chargers-featured","tag-dj-chark","tag-jim-harbaugh","tag-joe-hortiz","tag-ladd-mcconkey"],"modified_by":"Drew VonScio","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4709"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=201484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201484\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/201538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=201484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=201484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=201484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}