Chargers have issues at TE with David Njoku, Charlie Kolar news

The Los Angeles Chargers have had a disastrous start to the 2026 NFL season, and it doesn't seem like things are going to get much better.

They can always crawl out of their 0-2 hole, of course. It's worth noting that they do have plenty of talent, starting with former No. 6 overall pick Justin Herbert at quarterback.

None of that talent matters if it doesn't play up to its potential, though, and Herbert has struggled through two games. In losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, Herbert has completed 32-of-54 passes for 401 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Chargers are averaging just 14 points per game in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's system, which was supposed to be elite with Herbert running the show.

Again, things can change, but things also just got harder at tight end.

On Monday, the Chargers placed tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar on the injured reserve, meaning they'll both miss at least the next four games.

Los Angeles now only has one tight end on the active roster in 2025 fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden.

Per Kris Rhim of ESPN, the Chargers will miss the blocking of both Kolar and Njoku. Gadsden does have four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown already this season, but he does struggle as a blocker.

Chargers to lean on Oronde Gadsden at tight end 

With that said, head coach Jim Harbaugh is confident in the second-year tight end out of Syracuse.

"A lot of confidence in Oronde's game," Harbaugh said on Monday, per Rhim. "So many things that he does well."

Amid the Chargers' early-season struggles, one would imagine that the losses of Kolar and Njoku are an emotional blow for the team.

Both players were considered important free-agent acquisitions this offseason for the Chargers. Njoku signed a one-year deal after spending his first nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Kolar spent his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before signing a three-year, $24.3 million contract with the Chargers in March.

Njoku has over 4,000 career yards and 34 touchdowns to his name. Kolar has 430 yards and four touchdowns in five seasons.