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Derwin James injury update: Chargers star goes into medical tent after hit to head

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax12/09/25BarkleyTruax

Los Angeles Chargers star Derwin James was sent to the medical tent after taking a scary hit to the head during the first half of Monday Night Football’s game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. James was able to walk off the field and into the tent by himself.

James appeared to collide with teammate and defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe while trying to shed a block from Eagles WR DeVonta Smith. The two Chargers defenders collided in the backfield as Saquon Barkley took a rush to the outside.

He would eventually return to the game before the end of the half after the athletic training staff on-hand evaluated him. The Chargers led the Eagles 10-6 at halftime. Neither team would be able to break away and the game would head to overtime — where Los Angeles took the 22-19 victory after kicking a field goal and forcing Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts to throw a fourth interception on the night.

Despite finishing the game with three tackles and a tackle for loss, James was not one of the four defenders to pick off Hurts during the contest. Cam Hart, Da’Shawn Hand, Donte Jackson and Tony Jefferson all logged one interception a piece, the latter of which caught the game-winning INT in overtime.

Coming into the matchup, James was the team’s second-leading tackler with 67 total. He’s logged 2.0 sacks, four pass breakups and an interception in 2025. Currently in his seventh season in Los Angeles, James has played his entire NFL career for the Chargers.

The victory improves Los Angeles to 9-4 this season — 2.0 games back from the Denver Broncos in first place in the AFC West. LA will hit the road for three of its final four games to round out the regular season. This includes road games vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos with the exception being the regular season home finale against the Texas after Christmas.

Next up will be the matchup against the Chiefs. The Chargers were able to come out on top 27-21 during the two team’s first meeting during the Sept. 5 season-opener in Sao Paulo. Los Angeles will look to produce a similar outcome as the Chargers seek their 10th win of the season.