Chargers star Derwin James might be out for quite some time

The Chargers need their defense to play at an elite level to make the playoffs in 2020. That will prove difficult without the services of Derwin James.

Any chance Anthony Lynn has of molding the Chargers into a playoff contender in 2020 will hinge on the defense’s ability to dominate the opposition. That task becomes a lot more difficult if Los Angeles can’t count on Derwin James.

The Chargers aren’t letting on how much time their talented safety is going to miss. Lynn’s recent admission that James might have to “sit out another year” is not good news for anyone involved.

The former Florida State star made an impressive transition to life in the pros during his rookie campaign. He played all 16 games and looked like a player capable of being a perennial All-Pro for the Chargers. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just five games in 2019. Chargers officials were hopeful that he could put his injury problems behind him in 2020.

The fact that James has already suffered a torn meniscus dashes those hopes altogether. Now the Chargers coaching staff is saddled with the difficult task of replacing one of the most talented players on the roster. They drafted Alohi Gilman in the sixth round of the most recent draft, but the idea was for him to provide depth behind James. Now he could be thrust right into the starting lineup when Week 1 arrives.

The Chargers might be able to stay afloat without James for several weeks, but their defensive secondary takes a big hit if he’s forced to miss the entire year. Chris Harris and Casey Hayward give Los Angeles a pair of talented corners, but the safety pairing without James looks very thin. Rayshawn Jenkins just isn’t a difference-maker at the other safety spot.

Losing James’ versatility also will negatively impact what the Chargers’ front seven is able to accomplish. That group has a lot of talent but benefited massively from what James could do around the line of scrimmage. Losing a legitimate playmaker is going to make the Los Angeles defense a lot more pedestrian this season.

There’s really nothing the Chargers can do now other than hold their breath for positive injury news. Their chances of succeeding without James in 2020 are remote.