The Los Angeles Chargers have placed tight end Hayden Hurst on injured reserve. Hurst has struggled to stay healthy after struggling with a groin injury earlier in the season and will now be shelved with a hip for at least the Chargers game against the Denver Broncos on December 19th.
Hurst Moved To IR Ahead Of Chargers MNF Game
He was featured heavily in the first four weeks of the season before getting hurt early in their first contest against the Broncos. Through those four games, Hurst had seven catches on 10 targets for 59 yards.
The team rebuilt their tight end room ahead of the season adding Hurst in addition to Will Dissly, Stone Smartt, and Tucker Fisk. Hurst missed the last eight games of 2023 due to a traumatic head injury. He also had surgery on his groin, in the spring of 2023.
Tight ends have always been featured heavily in Jim Harbaugh’s offenses and that has followed suit with the Chargers. In Hurst’s absence, he has looked to Will Dissly as a pass-catching option. In his six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Dissly averaged 27 catches and 296 yards receiving. So far in 10 games with the Chargers, he has caught a career-high 37 passes and 352 yards.
It is likely that Dissly now fills the role intended for Hurst who has been a pass-catching tight end in the past.
To fill the roster spot, the team has signed cornerback Eli Apple. Additionally, they have activated defensive back Deane Leonard from injured reserve and elevated safety Tony Jefferson and outside linebacker Caleb Murphy from the practice squad. They also moved AJ Finley to the IR.
