Chargers Work Out JuJu Smith-Schuster As Injury Crisis Deepens

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Chargers conducted a workout with free-agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, according to RotoBaller. This move signals a team in desperate need of bodies after a brutal Sunday loss to the Denver Broncos.

The front office knows the depth chart is broken and needs a fix now. According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, the workout happened on Tuesday as the team scrambles to address a mounting injury crisis.

The numbers paint a grim picture for the Bolts. In Sunday’s 23-17 loss, tight end Charlie Kolar actually led the team in receiving. That is a red flag for any offense that wants to move the ball. Starting receiver Quentin Johnston missed the game with a chest injury.

Even when Ladd McConkey was active, he played zero offensive snaps because he was only available for emergencies. Tre’ Harris also left the game with a hamstring injury and is now listed as week-to-week.

The Injury Math Is Not Good

The Chargers cannot field a healthy receiving corps right now. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Theo Wease Jr. were forced into significant snaps last weekend. They might have to do it again this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs if Harris and Johnston do not play.

A team that relies on emergency players to fill gaps is not ready for a divisional tilt. The injury report lists Harris as week-to-week, which means the team has no guarantee he will suit up for the road game in Kansas City.

Smith-Schuster is 29 years old and still looking for a chance to play in 2026. He was a Pro Bowler in 2018, but his recent stats show a player who has lost some of his elite status. Last year with the Chiefs, he played in 17 games and started 12 of them.

He caught 33 passes, gaining 345 yards and one touchdown. These are not the numbers of a star player, but they are better than what the Chargers have available right now.

Is He The Solution Or A Stopgap?

Many fans might think this workout is a sign of hope, but the reality is much more limited. Keith Hernandez states that if JuJu Smith-Schuster lands in L.A., his fantasy relevance in standard 12-team leagues is likely a long shot, noting this signing will not fix the offense overnight. The Chargers need a warm body, not a savior.

The team has no other options left on the roster. They have burned through their depth chart already. If they sign him, he will likely play in a reduced role just to keep the offense from collapsing. The workout on Tuesday shows the urgency of the situation. The team is out of time and out of healthy players. They need to make a move before the game against the Chiefs starts.

The Week 6 Challenge

The next game is a divisional tilt on the road versus the Kansas City Chiefs. This is the toughest test the Chargers have faced all season. The Chiefs are a powerhouse, and the Chargers are missing their top receivers. If Johnston and Harris do not play, the offense will struggle to score points.