Report: Derwin James to undergo surgery, miss 6-8 months

Los Angeles Chargers star safety Derwin James will undergo knee surgery and miss six-to-eight months, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

James suffered a meniscus injury during practice Sunday.

After taking the league by storm as a rookie in 2018, a foot issue limited James' sophomore campaign to just five games.

The 2018 first-round pick earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors as a rookie after racking up 105 tackles, three interceptions, and 3.5 sacks.

The Chargers' secondary is widely considered to be one of the NFL's most complete defensive backfields, and the team bolstered it this offseason by adding former All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris Jr. during free agency.

With James sidelined most of last season, Adrian Phillips and Jaylen Watkins shared much of the playing time at safety alongside Rayshawn Jenkins. But those two signed elsewhere this offseason as free agents.

The Chargers' safety depth chart also features sixth-round rookie Alohi Gilman and Nasir Adderley, who appeared in just four games throughout his injury-plagued rookie campaign last year. Versatile defensive back Desmond King may also see more snaps at safety.

Head coach Anthony Lynn said Monday that the Chargers aren't considering free-agent safety Earl Thomas to replace James.

Los Angeles will kick off its 2020 season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 13.