Chargers list Joe Alt, Derwin James and Quentin Johnston as out for Broncos game

The Chargers will be without several starters for their Week Five matchup with the Broncos, according to their injury report published Monday night. Yahoo Sports’ team injury update lists Joe Alt, Derwin James, and Quentin Johnston as out.

Alt’s absence is significant for the Chargers’ offense because he anchors the front as a top-level tackle. Losing an established blocker can shift protections, alter blocking angles in the run game, and force the group to absorb additional pass-protection responsibilities.

Defensively, the Chargers’ injury situation also hurts. Derwin James, listed as out, is a central piece in the secondary and a frequent disruptor around the ball. With him unavailable, coordinator assignments and coverage responsibilities typically redistribute, especially in situations that rely on his range and playmaking instincts.

On offense, the report also rules Johnston out. Johnston, who has been used as a downfield threat, changes the weekly game plan when he cannot practice or play. In practical terms, the Chargers may have to lean more on other receivers for targets and route combinations designed to stretch the defense.

The injury report indicates the Chargers are “down even more starters on both sides of the ball” for the Broncos game. That matters for how quickly the team can stabilize roles, because replacing multiple starters tends to create ripple effects through special teams, first-team reps during the week, and late-game adjustments when units are mismatched.

For Denver, the matchup presents a chance to press advantages created by the shortages on Los Angeles’ roster. The Broncos’ focus would be to test the Chargers’ depth in pass protection and to target defensive matchups where coverage assignments are most likely to look different without James in the lineup.

It also adds uncertainty to how the Chargers’ offensive and defensive identities show up on the field. Even when backups are capable, games often expose the difference between prepared depth and true game-to-game continuity, particularly early before rotations settle in.

The Chargers’ next steps will be to confirm the final availability list closer to kickoff and to identify who is promoted into the starting lineup at each position impacted by the report.