EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers returned to their practice field on Wednesday, still injury depleted, still 0-5, still seeking that elusive first victory, still insisting it’s right around the corner and, if only they could get one, then several more would follow, still determined to stay the course.
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“Doing anything and everything to get that first win,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. “It’s the olive jar analogy. Sometimes the olives are packed so tight in there that you can’t get one out. But you work to get one out and then another and then they all come out.”
As far as Harbaugh is concerned, hard work is the only way out of their skid and into a course correction for the Chargers. Changing personnel won’t do it, whether it’s replacing offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel or beginning a sell-off ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline on Nov. 10.
That’s Harbaugh’s theory, and he’s sticking with it.
“Work harder, work smarter,” he said. “Thinking about every way possible to help to put the players in a better position to be successful. Most minutes of the day, waking minutes of the day. I see the same with our coaches and our players. Attacking it, doing everything you can to help.”
The numbers aren’t good, and they help to explain the Chargers’ descent.
Justin Herbert has been sacked 17 times, the second-most in the NFL, including five times in Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos while being protected by an offensive line that featured four rookies. Pro Football Focus ranked the Chargers’ O-line 32nd and last in the league.
What’s more, the Chargers’ offense under McDaniel is ranked 30th in points per game (16.8), 25th in net yards per game (292.8), 30th in net passing yards per game (164.6) and 24th in yards per play (4.75). They have fumbled 12 times, losing six. Herbert has been intercepted seven times.
Herbert’s passer rating of 70.2 is the lowest of his career after five games. He has completed only 59.4% of his passes and has tossed five touchdowns, on pace for career lows in both categories and far from his career averages of 66.5% completion percentage and 23.3 TDs per season.
The Chargers’ winless start coupled with their lackluster offense has led to rampant speculation about what comes next for Harbaugh, for Herbert, for McDaniel, and for a veteran like outside linebacker Khalil Mack. If they become sellers, the pundits say Mack could be dealt as part of a midseason rebuild.
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On the field, matters might get worse before they get better.
The schedule ahead looks daunting.
Here come the Kansas City Chiefs, still 4-0, still looking sharp with Patrick Mahomes back in full creative mode after last season’s ACL injury, still no doubt recalling how the Chargers swept both games from them last season, including the Dec. 14, 2025 game in which he was hurt.
Next, after the Chargers’ bye in Week 7, they face the Rams in a “road” game on Nov. 1, followed by a home date with the Houston Texans on Nov. 8 and then their lone “Monday Night Football” appearance on Nov. 16 against the Ravens and ex-defensive coordinator Jesse Minter in Baltimore.
INJURY UPDATES
Right tackle Joe Alt (neck), left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), wide receiver Tre’ Harris (hamstring), safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring), fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock (foot) and cornerback Rodney Shelley (hamstring) didn’t practice.
Wide receivers Quentin Johnston (chest) and Ladd McConkey (foot) were limited in practice.
ROSTER MOVES
The Chargers signed veteran quarterback Jake Browning and wide receiver Luke Grimm to their practice squad. They add depth at their positions, with quarterback Trey Lance on injured reserve because of a groin injury and several receivers dealing with nagging injuries, including McConkey.
In addition, the Chargers opened the practice window for wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith to return to the active roster from injured reserve. Harbaugh said he could play Sunday against the Chiefs. Lambert-Smith injured his hamstring in the season opener on Sept. 13.
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