Chargers’ Joe Alt, Derwin James and Donte Jackson miss Wednesday practice again before Chiefs game

The Los Angeles Chargers opened their week at Kansas City with another long injury report. Right tackle Joe Alt (neck), safety Derwin James (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring), guard Kayode Awosika (fibula) and receiver Tre’ Harris (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, and 13 more players were limited.

Edge rusher Khalil Mack was also held out, but that was his usual veteran rest day and is not an injury. The Chargers (0-5) visit the Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, October 18, at 4:25 p.m. EDT on CBS. It is their last game before a Week 7 bye.

Alt, James and Jackson still not back

Alt, James, Jackson and Awosika all sat out the 23-17 loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday, and none of them practiced to start this week either. Jim Harbaugh said Monday that Alt is still being examined by a specialist for the neck injury, and that Jackson is week to week. Awosika has not played since Week 2.

James has missed the losses in Seattle and against Denver with the hamstring. Harbaugh called him week to week after the Seattle game but said he was not a candidate for injured reserve.

Harris is the new name. The second-year receiver hurt his hamstring against Denver, and Harbaugh also listed him as week to week. If he can’t go, the Chargers will lean even more on a receiver group that is itself banged up.

McConkey and Thompson return to practice

There was some good news at receiver. Ladd McConkey (foot) and Brenen Thompson (quadriceps) were limited, as Harbaugh said they would be. McConkey was available against Denver but did not play a snap after the foot injury cut short his day in Seattle. Quentin Johnston (chest) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (rib) were limited too.

The club also opened KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s 21-day practice window, and the receiver was limited in his first session back from a hamstring injury. He can be activated from injured reserve at any point in that window.

Up front on defense, Bud Dupree (neck), Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring), Jamaree Caldwell (knee) and Justin Eboigbe (shoulder) were limited, along with linebacker Daiyan Henley (knee). Tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm) was a full participant.

An offensive line built on rookies

Alt’s absence keeps the Chargers without both starting tackles. Left tackle Rashawn Slater is on injured reserve after ankle surgery and is not eligible to return until Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens. Guards Trey Pipkins III (knee) and Trevor Penning (concussion) are on injured reserve as well, as are quarterback Trey Lance (groin) and tight end David Njoku (fibula). Justin Herbert has been playing behind a line built around rookies Logan Taylor, Travis Burke, Jacob Spomer and Jake Slaughter.

Chiefs: Rice sits again

Kansas City’s list was much shorter. Receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring, knee) did not practice. Tackle Josh Simmons (back) and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) were limited, and Patrick Mahomes (knee), safety Chamarri Conner (knee) and fullback Ben VanSumeren (thumb) were full participants.

Wednesday’s practice report

• Chargers, did not practice: T Joe Alt (neck), G Kayode Awosika (fibula), WR Tre’ Harris (hamstring), CB Donte Jackson (hamstring), S Derwin James (hamstring), OLB Khalil Mack (rest)
• Chargers, limited: DL Jamaree Caldwell (knee), OLB Bud Dupree (neck), DL Justin Eboigbe (shoulder), LB Daiyan Henley (knee), WR Quentin Johnston (chest), WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring), WR Ladd McConkey (foot), DB Elijah Molden (hamstring), CB Rodney Shelley (hamstring), WR Brenen Thompson (quadriceps), DL Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (rib), S Kendall Williamson (ankle)
• Chargers, full: TE Charlie Kolar (forearm)
• Chiefs, did not practice: WR Rashee Rice (hamstring, knee)
• Chiefs, limited: OT Josh Simmons (back), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee)
• Chiefs, full: S Chamarri Conner (knee), QB Patrick Mahomes (knee), FB Ben VanSumeren (thumb)

What comes next

Thursday’s report is the first real test for Alt and James. The Chargers lost their first five games for the first time since 2003, and they could face the unbeaten Chiefs without several starters again. Any player who can return before the bye would help, and the rest get two extra weeks to heal.