James finished the 2022-23 season with 115 tackles (64 solo), four sacks, an additional tackle for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 14 games.
James had another phenomenal season, as he led the Chargers in forced fumbles and recorded the second-most tackles. The Pro Bowl safety also had the most sacks of his career, and he wasn't as hampered by injuries as in prior seasons. Assuming he stays healthy, James should be expected to produce at a high level once again in 2023, in addition to during the upcoming postseason.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Trending in right direction
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James (concussion) logged a limited practice Thursday.
James logged a DNP on Wednesday, as he is still recovering from the concussion suffered in Monday's win over the Colts. Even though he was able to take the field Thursday, it does not necessarily mean that the five-year pro has cleared the league's concussion protocols. However, it does appear he is trending in the right direction, and the 26-year-old still has three more days to gain clearance to play Sunday against the Rams.
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Chargers' Derwin James: In concussion protocol
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Chargers head coach Brandon Staley confirmed after Monday's 20-3 win over the Colts that James has entered the concussion protocol, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
The Pro Bowl safety recorded an interception in the first quarter, but James' night ended early when he drew a targeting penalty and an immediate ejection on a second-quarter tackle. James suffered a head injury on the same play and will now need to clear the five-step protocol in order to be eligible to play this Sunday against the Rams. James previously missed the past two games with a quadriceps injury.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Cleared for Monday's game
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James (quadriceps) doesn't carry an injury designation for Monday night's game against the Colts.
James was listed as a full practice participant Friday and Saturday and is thus slated to return to action Monday after having missed the Chargers' last two contests. In 12 games to date, the starting safety has recorded a fantasy-friendly total of 106 tackles to go along with a pick and two forced fumbles.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Limited to begin Week 16
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James (quadriceps) was a limited participant during the Chargers' practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
James has missed the Bolts' last two games while dealing with a quad injury, though he managed to return to practice in a limited fashion for the first time Thursday. The 26-year-old will now have two more practices to increase his activity before Monday's game against the Colts. James has played a starring role across all levels of the Chargers' defense over 12 games this season, so his availability could be a significant factor as the team faces Indianapolis' sputtering offense.
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Chargers' Derwin James: May return to practice soon
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Coach Brandon Staley said Monday that James (quadriceps) could return to practice this week ahead of Monday's game at Indianapolis, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
After missing the Chargers' last two games with a quadriceps injury he sustained in Week 13 at Las Vegas, it seems James might have a chance to come back for Week 16. He's arguably the team's best defensive player, so they'd like to have him back as quickly as possible as they jockey for a playoff spot.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Doubtful for Sunday
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James (quadriceps) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's matchup against the Titans.
For a second straight week, James didn't participate in practice and is listed as doubtful. He didn't play in the Chargers' Week 14 win over Miami and figures to remain out for Week 15. In James' expected absence, Alohi Gilman will presumably draw another start alongside Nasir Adderley.
James (quadriceps) did not participate during the Chargers' practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
James also missed practice Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury, though it's unclear when or how this issue first arose. Chargers coach Brandon Staley also said that the safety is considered day-to-day, and it appears this injury has not improved given that he was unable to increase his practice activity Thursday. James will now have one more opportunity to improve his status before Friday's final injury report, or he could be in jeopardy of missing his first game of the 2022 campaign. A James absence would likely leave JT Woods and Alohi Gilman with increased roles versus Miami on Sunday night.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Full go Thursday
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James (hip) was listed as a full participant on the Chargers' injury report Thursday.
James popped up with a hip injury and did not practice Wednesday. However, this issue appears to have been minor given his ability to return for Thursday's session. James has recorded a team-high 100 tackles to go along with four sacks over 11 games this season, and he should continue to fill a role as one of the league's most versatile defenders against Las Vegas on Sunday.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Sidelined Wednesday
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James (hip) did not participate during the Chargers' practice Wednesday.
James recorded eight tackles, one interception and a forced fumble while playing every defensive snap Week 12 against Arizona, though he appears to have come away from this game with a hip issue. While his lack of participation in the first practice Week 13 is concerning, he will still have two more practices to increase his activity ahead of Sunday's game against Las Vegas. James has been the best all-around player in the Chargers' flawed defense this season, so his potential absence would be a massive loss against a potent Raiders offense.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Notches sack in tough loss
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James recorded seven tackles (four solo), including one sack, in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs.
James logged the Chargers' lone sack against star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in this tight loss to the division-rival Chiefs. The All-Pro safety also tied starting linebacker Drue Tranquill for a team high in tackles while being assigned to cover tight end Travis Kelce for much of the night. James has now recorded 92 tackles (53 solo), four sacks and three passes defended over 10 games this season, and, barring injury, he should easily set a new career high in stops this season. The Chargers next play against the Cardinals this coming Sunday.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Logs double-digit tackles again
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James recorded 13 tackles (seven solo) and a forced fumble during Sunday's 22-16 defeat versus San Francisco.
James fell one tackle shy of tying his season high from Week 5 against Cleveland. After forcing five total turnovers last year, the safety rammed the ball out of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's hands in the first quarter, marking his first forced fumble of the season. With a team-leading 85 stops (49 solo) over nine games, James is on pace to comfortably set a new career high in tackles this season.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Records third sack of 2022
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James recorded nine tackles (four solo), including a sack, in the Chargers' 20-17 win over the Falcons in Week 9.
James finished one tackle behind Drue Tranquill for the team lead on Sunday, also recording his third sack of the campaign in the victory. The safety has yet to intercept a pass over eight games this year, but he's compiled 72 tackles while deflecting three passes to this point in 2022. James remains one of the best strong safeties in the league and is a valuable IDP option moving forward.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Modest production in win
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James posted six tackles (three solo) and two pass defenses during Sunday's 34-24 win over the Texans.
Through four games, James has totaled 30 tackles, three pass defenses and one sack. The dynamic playmaker appears on pace for another All-Pro season and will look to continue his strong play against the Browns in Week 5.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Nine tackles in Week 3
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James amassed nine tackles (four solo) and one pass defensed during Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Jaguars.
James also registered one QB hit and played 99 percent of the team's defensive snaps, but it was an all-around poor performance from the Chargers' defensive unit which gave up 38 points to Jacksonville in Week 3. Through Los Angeles' first three games, the All-Pro safety has recorded 24 tackles, one sack and one pass defensed in that stretch. James' next opportunity to make an impact comes Sunday against the Texans.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Still not practicing
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James continues to sit out practice as he awaits a contract extension, and he isn't practicing Monday as a result, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
James is healthy but opting not to practice until he and the Chargers come to terms on an extension. With mutual interest in an extension from both sides, it's likely just a matter of time until a deal is finalized and James returns to practice.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Ready for camp
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James reported to training camp Tuesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
As expected, the 2021 Pro Bowler made a timely recovery from the shoulder surgery he underwent early in the offseason and will participate in training camp. If he can replicate his production from last year, he'll once again be one of fantasy's best DB options in 2022 and should put himself in line for a big contract heading into 2023.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Likely available for training camp
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James (shoulder) likely will be ready for training camp after sitting out the team's minicamp in June, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
James had labrum surgery following the conclusion of the 2021 campaign, but the issue isn't expected to impact the start of this season. The 2018 first-round pick finished last year with a career-best 118 tackles and will be looking to build on those numbers in 2022.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Limited Tuesday
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James (hamstring) was limited at Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
James is coming off a one-game absence in which he was a late add to the injury report. He was a non-participant at Monday's walk-through, so he does appear to be trending in the right direction. Trey Marshall would likely draw another start if James is ultimately unable to return.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Racks up seven tackles
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James posted seven tackles (three solo) and half a sack in Sunday's 41-22 win over the Bengals.
James has been a consistent force for the Chargers' defense this year, as he's recorded at least five tackles in each of the first 12 games of the season. The 2018 first-rounder now has 100 tackles (65 solo), two sacks, two interceptions, five pass defenses and three forced fumbles in 2021.
