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Derwin James' Injury Is The Latest Setback For The LA Chargers' Endless Bummer

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The growing momentum of NFL preseason games lacking significance was magnified when the Los Angeles Chargers faced the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

The Chargers fell, 19-17, at Dignity Health Sports Park and the final tally is told only because the league mandates the teams keeps score.

But on the Chargers' side, the figure that mattered was No. 33 and how much they'll miss the man wearing it: All-Pro safety Derwin James.

"He's planning on having his surgery,'' coach Anthony Lynn said, minus a smile. "When we know more, we'll let you know.''

What's already been determined was enough to cast a black cloud over L.A., even on a clear, summer day. The Chargers' run-up to a regular season in which they had hoped to build on last season's 13-3 record was shattered when James broke his foot last week during practice.

James will undergo surgery this week to repair the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The recovery time is expected to three-to-four months, with his return not anticipated until mid-November at the earliest.

"I can't put a timetable on that,'' Lynn said.

Time will tell if the Chargers' dreadful training camp and preseason will hamper what was expected to be a deep run into the playoffs.

James joins a long list of critical players that have been compromised.

Running back Melvin Gordon never reported to camp because of a contract dispute. Left tackle Russell Okung hasn't taken a snap after suffering a pulmonary embolism. Wide receiver Keenan Allen has battled knee and ankle issues which has curtailed his work.

"All teams try to get to the regular season without an injury to a starter and about half succeed,'' said Dr. David Chao, of profootballdoc.com and the Chargers' former team doctor of 17 years. "The Chargers have lost two significant players in each of the last two season before meaningful games.''

Defensive end Joey Bosa (foot) and tight end Hunter Henry (knee) were on the shelf last year when the games began. Bosa didn't play until the Chargers' 10th contest and Henry only participated briefly in LA's final contest, a playoff loss to the New England Patriots.

James' setback will put a dent in what figured to be among the NFL's finest defenses. He was the first player in franchise history to have 100 tackles in his rookie year and the first-round pick added 3.5 sacks and three interceptions.

"With his production and his intangibles, we're going to miss him a lot,'' Lynn said.

The Chargers will play the next-man-up card with Adrian Phillips being just that. They could also move free safety Rayshawn Jenkins back to the strong side.

Rookie Nasir Adderley is an option, but guess what? He's been out with a hamstring injury.

"I tell myself every year there is going to be three or four things that will happen that you don't expect that you have to overcome,'' Lynn said. "It's happening.''

That it's happened to Okung and James — and with Gordon still being absent — are big obstacles for the Chargers to master. They'll try to do so with the clock ticking fast toward the Sept. 8 opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

"We'll figure it out in the next three weeks,'' Lynn added.

But when Lynn said it — like the health of so many of his key players — it had to hurt.

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