The Los Angeles Chargers started off the 2025 season on a tear. Cruising to a 3-0 record with victories over all three division rivals, the Justin Herbert-led offense looked unstoppable. Many looked at them as the team to beat in the AFC.
However, that same team seemed to disappear just a week later. The Chargers, whose offense was dominant in those first three weeks of the season, became stagnant in Weeks 4 and 5. They scored only 18 points against the New York Giants and just 10 against the Washington Commanders.
How did this happen?
The answer is simple: injuries.
Despite playing only six games, the Chargers have lost many key contributors.
The first came all the way back in training camp, when All-Pro offensive tackle Rashawn Slater ruptured his patellar tendon, causing him to miss the entire 2025 season. All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack dislocated his elbow in Week 2, placing him on the Injured Reserve (IR) and has yet to play. Next came free agent running back Najee Harris, who tore his achilles during a Week 3 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The list doesn’t stop there. Young star offensive lineman Joe Alt suffered a high ankle sprain in the Chargers Week 4 matchup versus the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Alt is expected to return as early as next week. Following up on the Harris injury, promising rookie running back Omarion Hampton suffered an ankle injury in Week 5 that also landed him on the IR. On top of this, wide receiver Quentin Johnston is dealing with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for Sunday’s matchup versus the Miami Dolphins. Johnston has had a strong start to the 2025 season, logging 375 receiving yards and four touchdowns in just five weeks of action.
With all these injuries, quarterback Justin Herbert has lost weapons, as well as his elite pair of tackles who dominated last season.
On top of this, the Chargers have shown to be undisciplined, averaging 10.3 penalties over the past three games, costing them great opportunities.
In Week 5 versus the Commanders, two major completions were negated by a false start and an illegal formation. Also, wide receiver Ladd McConkey returned a punt for a touchdown, hurdling a defender on his way, only to have the dazzling play wiped away by a roughing-the-punter penalty.
So, how do the Chargers fix these problems?
In large part, patience is needed to get the banged up Bolts back to full strength. The team is expected to get Alt and Johnston back this week, and Hampton and Mack are expected to return from the IR soon.
More simply, the team needs to stop committing penalties. Last season, the Chargers ranked in the bottom five of the entire NFL in terms of penalties committed. With a lack of discipline, the team will continue to punish themselves, as exemplified in Week 5’s contest.
The Chargers avoided a three game skid on Sunday, defeating the Dolphins on a last minute field goal prompted by a Herbert game-winning drive.
A huge reason for this outcome wasn’t just the success of Herbert, but rather second year running back Kimani Vidal. Vidal stepped up in the absence of both Harris and Hampton, and rushed for over 100 yards and caught his second touchdown of his career.
With more unlikely heroes stepping up and doing their part, the Bolts have an opportunity to not only weather the storm caused by the large number of injuries, but rather flourish and cement themselves atop the AFC West.
The Chargers look to keep the ball rolling as they return home on Sunday afternoon to take on the league-leading 5-1 Indianapolis Colts.