Kenneth Murray Jr. injures ankle, is questionable for Chargers vs. Raiders

Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. runs on the field

Staff Writer

Oct. 2, 2021 Updated 3:28 PM PT

Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. suffered his third ankle injury since the start of training camp Saturday and is questionable to play Monday.

He went down early in practice and was attended to by trainers before being carted off the field. Murray was scheduled to undergo further testing.

The Chargers host Las Vegas on Monday night at SoFi Stadium.

“I don’t know the severity of it,” coach Brandon Staley said. “We’re still waiting to get the details.”

If Murray is unable to play against the Raiders, Drue Tranquill will replace him. The two split time in the Chargers’ Week 3 victory at Kansas City.

Murray’s first ankle injury came in August when he was making a tackle during a practice at SoFi Stadium.

He injured his other ankle early in a Week 2 loss to Dallas. On that occasion, Murray left the field and immediately headed to the locker room. But he was able to return.

In his second year, Murray is coming off a season during which he set a franchise rookie record for tackles with 107. He was the defense’s signal caller for much of 2020.

Murray played every defensive snap in the Chargers’ 20-16 victory at Washington to open this season. But he struggled last weekend against the Chiefs and was replaced at times by Tranquill.

“He wants to do everything right,” defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said. “He’s been working hard…Three games in, we still want him to take that jump, and I know he will…He’s committed.”

Murray, who is third on the team with 19 tackles, was a first-round pick last year, the Chargers selecting him at No. 23, 17 spots after taking quarterback Justin Herbert.

He remains an integral part of the defense, though safety Derwin James Jr. has taken over the signal-calling duties under Staley. Murray was expected to flourish in Staley’s system.

Readying to play a Las Vegas offense that leads the NFL in passing yards, the Chargers will definitely be without defensive tackle Justin Jones, who was ruled out Saturday because of a calf injury.

Jones, who hurt himself in the season opener, was thought to be close to returning. Staley said earlier in the week he was “optimistic” Jones would play against the Raiders.

Defensive back Chris Harris Jr. is questionable for Monday as he deals with a shoulder injury. Staley suggested Harris’ availability might not be known until shortly before kickoff.

Justin Herbert playing like a veteran

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 26.

Herbert rarely looked like a rookie last season and has started this year playing like a long-time veteran.

But there was a moment in the Chargers’ victory at Kansas City when offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said he was reminded that Herbert still has started only 18 NFL games.

In the final minute and with the score tied, the Chargers had the ball inside the Chiefs’ five-yard line. Lombardi called a running play that included an option to pass, if the proper matchup presented itself.

The Chargers were trying to score but also drain the clock as much as possible to limit the opportunities for Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City’s dynamic quarterback.

Seeing that he had Mike Williams pitted against cornerback Mike Hughes, Herbert checked to the pass play and hit Williams for a four-yard score to make it 30-24.

In doing so, however, he left Mahomes with 32 seconds and one timeout.

“I need to remember that he’s not in his 20th year; he’s in his second year,” Lombardi said. “I’d say, ‘I want to hand it off here.’…I have to remember to remind him of certain things that maybe I take for granted.”

After a touchback on the kickoff, Mahomes moved the Chiefs into position to try a final Hail Mary heave, but the desperate pass fell incomplete.

Had Herbert stuck with the running play, Lombardi said there’s a chance Kansas City’s defense would have conceded the touchdown anyway in an attempt to conserve time.

Another factor was a gusting wind that had made kicks anything but a certainty. The Chargers’ Tristan Vizcaino already had missed two extra points, meaning settling for a field goal try was less desirable.

“A lot of the time, if the conditions were different, you probably would be taking a knee and running the clock down,” Lombardi said. “But that wind was howling. We were like, ‘Let’s score a touchdown.’ ”

Things worked out for the Chargers, but, if a similar situation arises, they might handle things differently.

Then again, Lombardi said he’s not sure Herbert would have run the ball either way.

“He gets pretty aggressive on game day,” Lombardi said, smiling. “He might not have listened to me.”