Chargers enter bye with McDaniel’s play-calling role under review

Update — October 19

Jim Harbaugh is reviewing the Chargers' offense and coaching after a 22-6 loss at Kansas City left Los Angeles 0-6 entering its bye. Asked Sunday whether Mike McDaniel would continue calling plays, Harbaugh said, “We're going to look at everything,” according to the team's official postgame report. He included his own work, the coaches' work and offensive execution in that review.

That answer follows Harbaugh's October 5 assurance that McDaniel's job was safe after an 0-4 start. His earlier endorsement remains part of the story's history, but Sunday's remarks leave the next play-calling decision open.

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reported Sunday evening that there was growing league buzz about a possible separation from McDaniel. Pass-game specialist Adam Gase was expected to take over if McDaniel was fired, Florio reported. The report said a move was not completed; neither it nor the team's postgame account announced a firing or promotion.

Los Angeles managed two field goals against the Chiefs. Harbaugh said he planned to watch the game and meet with his offensive coaches during the review.

Earlier reporting — before the Kansas City game

Joe Alt is expected to miss Sunday's game against Denver with a neck injury, Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday evening. The Chargers have no plans to put him on injured reserve, according to Rapoport. Their official first practice report also lists left tackle Rashawn Slater and receiver Ladd McConkey as nonparticipants, adding concrete availability concerns to an offense that has opened 0-4.

Alt's expected absence is an attributed report, and Wednesday's participation list is not the final game-status report. Los Angeles has not cleared McConkey or named a complete replacement offensive line for Sunday. The game at SoFi Stadium is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Eastern.

The official report lists Slater with an ankle injury, McConkey with a foot injury, Trevor Penning with a concussion and Kayode Awosika with a fibula injury. All four did not practice. That leaves availability questions across the line as well as at receiver. Quentin Johnston was limited with a chest injury; his participation should not be treated as a declaration that he will play.

Rapoport's update narrows the immediate outlook for Alt while leaving his longer absence unsettled. Avoiding injured reserve would keep the team from making that particular roster move, but the report does not establish when he will return. RSO managers evaluating Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton or the receivers have a practical reason to follow the protection decisions through Friday.

The reshuffle began in Sunday's loss at Seattle. Travis Burke replaced Alt at right tackle. Logan Taylor first filled in for Penning at left guard, then moved to left tackle after Slater went out. Jake Slaughter moved from center to guard, undrafted rookie Jacob Spomer entered at center, and Cole Strange completed the line on the final drive, according to the Chargers' official Monday account. Those were the players used in that game; Wednesday's report does not make them the announced starting five against Denver.

Adam Gretz's Wednesday evening report for Yardbarker independently described the combined loss of protection and receiving options. It is the combination that matters for lineup planning: a weakened line can change the work an offense can execute, while McConkey's uncertain availability creates another decision. The evidence supports watching the next two practice reports and Sunday's active list before assigning replacement targets or a changed workload.

Jim Harbaugh's earlier assurance that Mike McDaniel will remain offensive coordinator still stands as the team's public coaching position. The fresh development is who can take the field to run the offense.

NFL.com reported Herbert has six interceptions and has taken 12 sacks through four games. The Chargers produced 301 yards Sunday but could not finish a comeback from a 27-6 deficit late in the third quarter. Herbert lost a fumble on a sack during the final possession.

Harbaugh’s public position is that McDaniel will continue running the offense. The Associated Press reported his direct assurance about the coordinator’s job, and Herbert also supported McDaniel while acknowledging that he needed to make more plays.

Harbaugh’s backing puts the focus on executing McDaniel’s offense with the personnel available. The immediate variables are who protects Herbert and whether the offense can avoid another costly start. Denver is next, with Kansas City following before the Week 7 bye.