Chargers list David Njoku doubtful for Week 9 vs Texans

Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku is listed as doubtful for Sunday's Week 9 game against the Houston Texans after limited practices this week. The Chargers' official Week 9 game-status post put Njoku with Kayode Awosika, Denzel Perryman and Brenen Thompson on the doubtful line. Underdog NFL separately tagged him doubtful with a leg designation, and Yahoo Sports (SB Nation) wrote that the group will wait another week to return.

What's confirmed. Njoku carries a doubtful tag into Sunday at home against Houston. Doubtful means he is not expected to play. Special-teamer Deane Leonard and safety Kendall Williamson are the only Chargers ruled out on that same report. Njoku is on the 53-man roster and worked in limited fashion during the week, so this is a game-status call, not a fresh IR move.

How we got here. RSO covered the Chargers' plan to open Njoku's injured-reserve return window earlier this week after he went on IR with a knee issue. He practiced enough to stay in the Friday conversation, then landed on the doubtful list rather than clearing. That closes the optimistic Week 9 return path owners were tracking when the window talk started.

Who gets the work. Oronde Gadsden remains the Chargers' lead tight end for Week 9, with Charlie Kolar and the rest of the room filling complementary snaps. Do not plug Njoku into a lineup on a late-flip hope. If you need Chargers tight end exposure this week, Gadsden is the cleaner bet.

What RSO owners should do now. Sit Njoku for Week 9. Keep him rostered through the return cycle if you have IR or taxi space; a doubtful tag after limited work is not the same as a clean activation. Treat any Sunday morning upgrade as unexpected, not the base case.

What to watch next. Wednesday's Week 10 practice report. Full participation without a setback is the first signal he is truly close. Watch whether Los Angeles keeps him active on the 53 or reshuffles the tight end room if the leg issue stretches past another week.