Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season

After years of playoff disappointment derailed by key injuries—from Derwin James Jr.’s ACL tear in 2021 to Justin Herbert’s rib injury in 2022—the Los Angeles Chargers made player health their top priority heading into the 2025 season. The team invested over $5 million in upgrading their training facilities, hired a new head of sports medicine, and revamped their offseason and in-season protocols to prioritize prevention, recovery, and long-term wellness. This shift wasn’t just a reaction to past struggles; it was a strategic choice to protect their star-studded roster and maximize their Super Bowl potential. Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season explores how this intentional focus on health has paid off—keeping key players on the field, boosting team consistency, and positioning the Chargers as a legitimate AFC contender. For a franchise that’s long been haunted by the injury bug, 2025 has become a model for how to build a healthy, resilient team.

Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season begins with the Chargers’ offseason preparation, which emphasized personalized training and injury prevention over traditional “grind” culture. Instead of mandatory two-a-day practices, the team implemented flexible schedules tailored to each player’s needs: linemen focused on strength and joint stability to avoid knee and ankle injuries, while skill position players prioritized mobility and soft tissue recovery to prevent pulls and strains. The Chargers also added a “recovery week” midway through the offseason, where players avoided contact drills and focused on yoga, massage therapy, and mental health check-ins. “We used to think more work meant better results, but we’ve learned that smarter work—work that protects players’ bodies—is what wins championships,” said head coach Brandon Staley. Herbert, who has struggled with shoulder soreness in the past, followed a custom throwing program designed to reduce strain: “The offseason was about building strength without overworking my shoulder,” he said. “I felt fresher going into training camp than I ever have before.” This focus paid off: the Chargers had zero major offseason injuries, a first for the franchise since 2018.

Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season continues with the team’s in-season recovery protocols, which were designed to keep players fresh through the grueling 17-game schedule. After every game, players undergo a “recovery trifecta”: cryotherapy sessions to reduce inflammation, NormaTec compression therapy for muscle recovery, and one-on-one meetings with sports psychologists to address mental fatigue. The Chargers also adjusted their practice schedule, limiting full-contact drills to just one day per week and replacing walkthroughs with film sessions to reduce unnecessary wear and tear. For veterans like James and Joey Bosa, the team added “load monitoring” technology—sensors in their practice gear that track steps, collisions, and exertion levels—to avoid overtraining. “The sensors tell us when a player is approaching their limit,” said Dr. Sarah Miller, the Chargers’ new head of sports medicine. “If Joey’s exertion level is too high on a Wednesday, we’ll scale back his reps Thursday to prevent a hamstring pull or shoulder strain.” These protocols have kept the Chargers’ core lineup intact: through 12 weeks, their top 15 players have missed a combined total of just 12 games—down from 28 games over the same stretch in 2024.

Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season also highlights the team’s proactive approach to injury treatment, which has turned minor issues into non-events. Instead of waiting for injuries to worsen, the medical staff addresses “pre-injuries”—subtle signs like tightness, soreness, or reduced range of motion—with targeted interventions. For example, when wide receiver Keenan Allen reported mild calf tightness after Week 7, the staff immediately put him on a modified practice plan: limited reps, daily stretching, and ultrasound therapy. Allen didn’t miss a single game and went on to have a 10-catch, 120-yard performance in Week 9. “We used to play through pain, but now we know that’s a mistake,” Allen said. “Addressing small issues early keeps them from becoming big ones.” The Chargers also invested in regenerative medicine, offering platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell treatments to players recovering from minor injuries. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this proactive approach has been a game-changer: they’ve had just three players placed on injured reserve in 2025, compared to seven by Week 12 in 2024. “Our goal isn’t just to treat injuries—it’s to keep them from happening in the first place,” Dr. Miller said. “Every game a key player misses is a missed opportunity to win. We’re doing everything we can to avoid that.”

Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season delves into the role of the team’s medical and strength staff, who have become integral parts of the coaching process. Unlike in past seasons, where the medical staff only weighed in after injuries, they now attend weekly game-planning meetings to flag potential risks: if the opponent runs a lot of zone blitzes, for example, they’ll remind the coaches to limit Herbert’s scrambling to avoid knee injuries. The strength staff also works closely with position coaches to adjust drills: offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo modified pass-blocking drills to reduce knee stress, while defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley scaled back full-speed tackling drills to prevent concussions. “The medical staff isn’t just ‘the people who fix injuries’ anymore—they’re part of our strategy,” Staley said. “Their input helps us make smarter decisions that protect our players without hurting our performance.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this collaboration has led to a rare balance: the team ranks top 5 in the NFL in points scored and top 10 in defensive efficiency, all while keeping their key players healthy. “We’re proving that you don’t have to choose between winning and health,” James said. “You can have both if you plan for it.”

Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season concludes with the impact of this health focus on the team’s culture and playoff aspirations—and the lessons other teams can learn from their success. The Chargers’ players have embraced the health-first mindset, with veterans setting examples for rookies: Bosa now leads a weekly yoga session for the defensive line, and Herbert often stays late for recovery treatments to encourage younger players to do the same. This culture shift has not only reduced injuries but also boosted morale: players feel valued, knowing the team is invested in their long-term well-being, not just their short-term performance. As the Chargers head into the playoffs, their health advantage could be their biggest edge: while other teams are scrambling to replace injured stars, the Chargers have their full roster intact. “Past injuries taught us that health is our most valuable asset,” said general manager Tom Telesco. “We didn’t just invest in facilities or staff—we invested in our players. That’s the difference this season.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, 2025 isn’t just a winning season—it’s a proof of concept: that with intentional focus, smart protocols, and a commitment to players’ well-being, a team can break the cycle of injury and compete at the highest level. In the end, Player Health Focus for the Los Angeles Chargers Season is a story of resilience—turning past struggles into present success, one healthy player at a time.