The Chargers are placing guard Branson Taylor on the injured reserve to start the 2026 season.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared the news via X.
Rapoport also added that Taylor is designated for return. Taylor will miss at least the first four games of the season. The earliest Taylor could return is Week 5 against the Denver Broncos.
The Chargers' 2025 draft pick was in the mix for the starting left guard spot all throughout camp. Just last week, head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel stated that Kayode Awosika was the frontrunner for the starting left guard position. With two weeks until the start of the regular season, it appears that Awosika will be with the starting unit.
Taylor suffered an upper-body and shoulder injury
during the Week 2 contest against the 49ers. He departed the game and did not return. The injury ultimately halted Taylor's strong training camp.
The upper-body injury limited his practice time heading into final roster decisions.
Taylor, 24, was the 199th pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Chargers. He played his collegiate ball at Pittsburgh, where he played in 45 games with 21 starts.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers roster news: LA places Branson Taylor on IR to start season
