EL SEGUNDO — The NFL’s trade deadline is torn between need and want for the Chargers.

Yes, according to Coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers were looking to add a player to a team that was a playoff contender and second in the AFC West at 5-3. No, they didn’t need to add a player to their roster before Tuesday’s 1pm deadline.

So the Chargers didn’t make a move.

“I don’t think Joe sees where we need a player at any position,” Harbaugh said Wednesday, referring to Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz. “We love our guys. We feel great at every position group. Then it goes to asking. Did we ask for one? Yeah. Did Joe ask for one? So let Batman do his thing.”

Harbaugh often refers to himself as Robin and Hortiz as Batman.

“That’s the way we’re moving forward,” Harbaugh said of the Chargers’ approach to Tuesday’s trade deadline, which has many players floating around the league. “The proof is in the pudding. We love our men. “We love the players on this team and the direction this team is going.”

conventional wisdom He suggested the Chargers need depth at wide receiver and cornerback, two positions that have been depleted by injuries in recent weeks. But a modest two-game winning streak, along with comprehensive wins over the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, showed that moves were not necessary.

The emergence of rookie Ladd McConkey as a reliable target for quarterback Justin Herbert and Quentin Johnston’s return from an ankle injury made the need to acquire another receiver unnecessary. Additionally, McConkey and Johnston had career-best 100-yard receiving yards in consecutive weeks.

There was McConkey Six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns Against the saints.

Johnston had Four catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. against the Browns.

Additionally, veteran DJ Chark looks set to make his Chargers debut on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans after being sidelined with injuries for the first eight games of the season. Getting him ready to play next week will almost be like acquiring a new wide receiver at the deadline.

As for the cornerbacks, rookies Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still, veterans Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton, they entered the starting lineup without any problems. there was still first intervention in his career Sunday and also deflected a pass into the hands of teammate Elijah Molden for another interception.

In the end, instead of returning to the Chargers, wide receiver Mike Williams was traded from the New York Jets to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who sidelined him in a cost-cutting move in the offseason. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was dealt by the Saints to the Washington Commanders.

There is no doubt that phone calls have been made, fielding and due diligence has been done.

However, no agreement was reached.

“I think they have complete faith in us, trust in us that we have the right guys and the right pieces,” Herbert said of Harbaugh, Hortiz and the Chargers’ front office when asked about the team’s inactivity at the deadline. . “We definitely think we’re moving in the right direction. “I think that’s a good sign.”

EXTRA POINTS

The Chargers placed wide receiver Simi Fehoko (elbow) and linebacker Junior Colson (ankle) on injured reserve. They were injured on Sunday. The Chargers also signed wide receiver Jalen Reagor to the practice squad’s active roster, released tight end Eric Tomlinson and then signed him to the practice squad. …

In addition, the Chargers signed linebacker Shaquille Quarterman to the practice squad and removed tight end McCallan Castles from the practice squad. Quarterman appeared in the Chargers’ first three games of the season and also made one appearance with the Carolina Panthers. …

Harbaugh said he expects the 21-day window for Gus Edwards to return from injured reserve to open this week. Edwards has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury.

First Publication Date: November 6, 2024 16:50 PST