EL SEGUNDO — The carousel continued to spin Friday for the Chargers, who will welcome safety Derwin James Jr. back to their lineup for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos after he served a one-game suspension, but the team must do without cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. because of a shoulder injury.
The Chargers haven’t been whole for weeks, and even when they have had what’s considered all of their regular starters on the field, one or more have been limited by injuries. James wasn’t hurt, but he was banned for the Chargers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 for accumulating too many illegal tackles.
Now, James is back, but Samuel will be sidelined. Samuel was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, then was a full participant Thursday before sitting out Friday. The Chargers then ruled him out Friday after practice for their first game after last week’s bye week.
“I feel like I haven’t been out there in a minute,” James said, using a slang phrase rather than a literal one to indicate his dislike for his league-imposed layoff after compiling five unnecessary roughing penalties in his past 18 games. “I can’t wait to get back out there making plays again. I’m looking forward to Sunday.”
Coach Jim Harbaugh followed his customary method of operation by declining to answer specific questions about the change in Samuel’s status from Thursday to Friday. Harbaugh likes to say he’s not “medically qualified” to provide answers to what often seem like routine questions about the status of players.
In addition, running back Gus Edwards (ankle) and defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) were ruled out of Sunday’s game because of injuries. Outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip), cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee), defensive back Deane Leonard (hamstring), linebacker Nick Niemann (hamstring) and left tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral) were listed as questionable.
Edwards’ absence means rookie Kimani Vidal could be active for the first time in his young NFL career. Vidal, the Chargers’ sixth-round draft pick from Troy, could be the third running back behind J.K. Dobbins and Hassan Haskins. Dobbins is the Chargers’ leading rusher with 342 yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries. Edwards has rushed for 113 yards on 38 carries.
The absences in the Chargers’ secondary could prove to be more problematic, although come Sunday they will have played at least one game without James because of the NFL’s suspension and Samuel and safety Alohi Gilman because of injuries. Fulton’s injury complicates matters further.
So, it’s nothing new to be shorthanded in the defensive backfield.
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Bosa’s status as questionable for Sunday’s game was something of a surprise since he worked out on the sidelines and did not participate in practices Wednesday and Thursday before his participation Friday was said to be limited. He was hurt on the first play of the Chargers’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3.
Bosa was sidelined for most of training camp because of a broken left hand that required surgery. He also was troubled by a back ailment, but he played in each of the Chargers’ first two games, victories over the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, before he was hurt in the game at Pittsburgh.
Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu have filled in for Bosa and are expected to do so again Sunday against Denver. The Chargers’ pass rushers have been one of the strengths of their stingy defense, which has yielded an NFL-low average of 12.5 points per game through the season’s opening weeks.
“Heck yeah, man,” James said of the jolt of energy he receives from watching the Chargers’ pass rushers menace opposing quarterbacks. “The ball is getting out quicker. Some of those teams are giving up and throwing screens. It allows us to be able to play faster. Definitely love them getting a pass rush.”