Derwin

James

James will now be making $25.2 million per year, slightly nudging out the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton ($25.1 million per year) for highest-paid safety in the league. The deal includes $57.5 million guaranteed. James entered the offseason wanting a new contract before training camp and he gets one coming off back-to-back seasons of Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. He remains a versatile and hard-hitting centerfielder for the Chargers, captaining the defense for seven seasons, making five Pro Bowls in that time. James tied his career-high with three interceptions last seasons and finished with an 81.2 overall PFF grade, good for No. 8 among safeties. He was set to enter the final season of his contract but will now be signed to the Chargers through 2029.

ESPN’s Kris Rhim said earlier this week that James “almost certainly want[s] a new deal before training camp starts” in mid-to-late July. The Chargers’ organized team activities are scheduled to run May 26-27, May 29, June 2-4 and June 8-11. Mandatory minicamp will run from June 16-18. If extensions have not been agreed upon by the time mandatory minicamp rolls around, James and Tuipulotu could choose to hold out. That at least gives us a benchmark to check up on. Stay tuned.

Entering his age-30 season, James has bounced back from early-career injuries and been one of the most dependable and versatile defenders in the NFL over the past four years. He posted an 83.7 PFF coverage grade in 2025 playing in the box, at slot, and even manning the defensive line at times. Rhim adds the usual “it seems likely that a deal will get done,” but the curious part here is: “Whether [Chargers GM Joe] Hortiz is willing to give a 30-year-old James a record deal is one of the biggest questions ahead of this season.” It sure sounds like James could be a potential trade candidate based on that sentence. The Chargers have not exactly been big spenders under Hortiz.

Fanatics’ social media account broke the news, saying James suffered the injury “earlier in the week prior to reporting to the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.” He will be replaced in the lineup by free agent S Harrison Smith, the longtime Viking. We sure would like to know if the injury occurred while training for the flag football tournament, but that part remains unclear. James was set to play for Team Wildcat alongside former and current NFL players, including Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Rams WR Davante Adams. We wish all involved good health. Hopefully, we get clarification on James’ injury before long.

Vidal injured his neck in Week 16 and was unable to play in Week 17. He practiced throughout Week 18, including two full sessions to close the week. Forecasting Vidal’s role is difficult, with the Chargers declaring QB Justin Herbert, S Derwin James Jr., RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), S Elijah Molden (hamstring), OLB Tuli Tuipulotu, OT Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and C Bradley Bozeman (concussion) inactive for Week 18 against the Broncos. The team is clearly trying to preserve its health for the postseason and Vidal has meaningfully contributed to the offense this season. While we tentatively expect him to start, RB Hassan Haskins (concussion) and RB Jaret Patterson could also be regularly involved. Patterson is the backfield’s lone fully healthy player.

According to Pelissero, James will undergo an MRI to confirm, but the hope is the veteran safety has avoided the worst here. James was injured in the first half of Sunday’s win and ruled out in the second-half, but if this injury doesn’t prove to be anything major, it’s possible James will be good to go when the Chargers face the Titans in Week 9.

James injured the ankle during the first half of the contest against Minnesota, and the 29-year-old defender won’t be able to continue. Kendall Williamson and R.J. Mickens will see the snaps for the remainder of Thursday’s game.

Observing Herbert’s connection with his recently revamped receiving corps will be worthwhile for fantasy managers. Keenan Allen’s return to the lineup could have a fantasy-unfriendly effect on players like Quentin Johnston, Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Derwin James and Khalil Mack are the only two starters who will not play.

James caught a suspension for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.” One of the plays in question occurred in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. It’s terrible timing considering a matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 4.

James was added to the injury report late last week with an ankle injury, but will be ready to go the Chargers’ divisional showdown against the Chiefs. While he is active, the team did declare S Alohi Gilman, CB Deane Leonard, S Mark Webb, OL Zack Bailey, RB Elijah Dotson, DL Christopher Hinton, and TE Tre’ McKitty inactive for Week 7.