The Los Angeles Chargers are losing David Njoku and Charlie Kolar to injured reserve, leaving Oronde Gadsden as their only remaining active-roster tight end.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Monday that Njoku has a fibula injury and Kolar has a forearm injury. Both must sit out at least four games, according to the Chargers’ injury update.
The news creates another problem for a team that fell to 0-2 with Sunday’s 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Justin Herbert’s offense now needs to replace two players from the same position group while trying to find its footing.
Oronde Gadsden becomes the Chargers’ leading option
The team’s posted depth chart lists Kolar first, Njoku second and Gadsden third at tight end. The injuries put Gadsden in position for a larger role, although a place on the chart alone does not establish how many snaps or targets he will receive.
He does have an NFL season of production to build on. Gadsden caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie season in 2025, figures the Chargers highlighted in their offseason assessment of the group.
That same assessment emphasized Kolar’s blocking, underscoring why replacing the pair involves more than finding another receiver. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel must also decide how to distribute the work that helps the running game and protects the quarterback.
“A lot of confidence in Oronde’s game,” Harbaugh said in the team’s Monday update. “So many things that he does well. A lot of confidence in Oronde.”
Gadsden’s receiving background gives Los Angeles an established option, but asking one player to absorb every responsibility would be a different proposition. How the Chargers fill out the room will help determine how much they can ask of him.
Who else is available at tight end?
Los Angeles lists Patrick Herbert and Evan Svoboda at tight end on its practice squad. Either could provide an internal option, though a listing on the practice squad is not a promotion or a guarantee of a game-day role.
Harbaugh said Monday that the team and its personnel department were evaluating additions. No specific signing was identified in that update.
For the Chargers, the decision is about the type of help they need as well as the number of available players. Adding depth could allow Gadsden to concentrate on his strengths, while the staff sorts out which combinations can handle blocking and receiving assignments.
Chargers head to Buffalo with more offensive questions
The tight end losses follow a week in which Ladd McConkey’s rib injury disrupted his practice availability. McConkey was ultimately active against Las Vegas, but the latest injuries create a separate challenge for the passing game.
Los Angeles has scored 14 points in each of its first two games, both home losses. Its next game is at Buffalo on Sept. 27, giving the coaching staff this week to prepare a different tight end rotation.
The immediate question is who joins Gadsden for that matchup. His opportunity is expanding, and the Chargers’ next roster decisions will shape how they use it.
