Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James Jr. isn’t just a safety for the Los Angeles Chargers—he’s a defensive force whose tackles often change the course of games. A versatile playmaker who lines up at safety, linebacker, and even edge rusher, James combines brute strength, quickness, and football IQ to deliver tackles that stop runs short, force turnovers, and shut down opposing offenses in critical moments. Through 14 weeks of the season, James has tallied 89 total tackles (65 solo), 5 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles—numbers that only scratch the surface of his impact. Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers dives into the most memorable tackles of his season, breaking down his technique, situational awareness, and how each stop contributes to the Chargers’ defensive success.

Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers starts with a defining red-zone tackle in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers—a play that prevented a touchdown and preserved a one-point lead. With the Packers at the Chargers’ 5-yard line and 1:30 left in the third quarter, Packers running back Aaron Jones took a handoff up the middle, aiming for a gap between the Chargers’ guard and center. James, lined up as a box safety just feet from the line of scrimmage, read the play instantly: he planted his left foot, exploded through the gap, and met Jones head-on at the 2-yard line. Instead of reaching for Jones’ legs (a common tactic that risks missing), James wrapped both arms around Jones’ torso, drove his shoulder into Jones’ chest, and slammed him to the ground—stopping him three yards short of the end zone. Replay footage shows James’ textbook form: his knees bent for leverage, his core engaged to absorb Jones’ momentum, and his head positioned to avoid a helmet-to-helmet collision. The Chargers’ defense forced a field goal on the next play, keeping the lead intact. “That’s Derwin being Derwin,” Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said after the game. “He doesn’t just make tackles—he makes tackles that matter.”

Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers focuses on a third-down stop in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, where James’ speed and tackling precision kept the Chiefs from extending a critical drive. With the Chiefs at their own 35-yard line and facing third-and-4, quarterback Patrick Mahomes handed off to running back Isiah Pacheco, who tried to bounce the play to the outside. James, initially lined up deep as a free safety, recognized the run in under a second and sprinted 20 yards to the sideline—closing the gap on Pacheco before he could reach the first-down marker. As Pacheco tried to cut back inside to avoid James, James adjusted his angle: he slowed slightly, kept his hips low, and wrapped his right arm around Pacheco’s ankles while using his left hand to push Pacheco’s shoulder down. The tackle brought Pacheco to the ground at the 38-yard line—one yard short of a first down—forcing the Chiefs to punt. Post-game footage captures James’ celebration: he stood up, pointed to the Chargers’ defense, and yelled, “That’s how we stop ’em!” The play was a perfect example of James’ versatility: he can cover deep passes one play and shut down runs the next, a rare skill that makes him invaluable to the Chargers.

Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers delves into a tackle that forced a fumble in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears— a turnover that led to the Chargers’ game-winning touchdown. With the Bears leading 17-14 and driving to the Chargers’ 20-yard line in the fourth quarter, Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney caught a short pass over the middle and turned upfield, aiming to gain extra yards. James, who had been covering Mooney on the play, stayed glued to his hip; as Mooney broke into the open field, James accelerated, closed the gap, and delivered a “strip tackle” —a move where he wrapped his left arm around Mooney’s waist to slow him, then used his right hand to yank the ball free from Mooney’s grasp. The ball popped loose, and Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. recovered it at the 18-yard line. The Chargers used the turnover to drive 82 yards for a touchdown, taking a 21-17 lead they never gave up. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this tackle wasn’t just a stop—it was a momentum shift that turned the game around. “Derwin’s ability to force turnovers with his tackles is what separates him from other safeties,” Hill said. “He doesn’t just want to bring the player down—he wants to take the ball away, and that’s a game-changer.”

Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers explores a fourth-quarter tackle in Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders that prevented a potential game-tying drive. With the Chargers leading 31-24 and the Raiders at the Chargers’ 30-yard line, Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw a screen pass to running back Josh Jacobs, who had three blockers in front of him. James, lined up as a linebacker on the play, read the screen instantly: he darted past a Raiders blocker, avoided a pull from another, and met Jacobs at the 32-yard line. Instead of letting Jacobs use his size (6’2”, 220 lbs) to push forward, James lowered his shoulder and drove into Jacobs’ midsection, wrapping both arms around Jacobs’ legs to trip him up. The tackle held Jacobs to a 2-yard gain, making it third-and-8— a situation the Raiders couldn’t convert, forcing them to punt. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this tackle was a masterclass in situational awareness: James knew the Raiders needed a big play to tie the game, and he shut down their attempt before it could gain steam. “Derwin understands the moment better than anyone,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said. “He knows when to be aggressive, when to be patient, and when to deliver a tackle that shuts down a drive. That’s the mark of a leader.”

Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers concludes with a look at James’ tackle technique and how it reflects his role as the heart of the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense. Unlike many safeties who rely on speed alone, James combines speed with power: he uses his 215-pound frame to deliver tackles that don’t just stop players—they jar the ball loose and demoralize opposing offenses. His film shows a consistent approach: he reads the play before the snap, takes the shortest path to the ball carrier, and uses proper form to avoid penalties (he has zero roughing-the-passer or unnecessary-roughness calls this season). Beyond the stats, James’ tackles inspire his teammates: his intensity on the field sets the tone for the entire defense, and his ability to make big plays in critical moments gives the Chargers confidence they can stop any offense. “Derwin’s tackles aren’t just about numbers,” Samuel Jr. said. “They’re about belief—when he makes a big stop, we all think, ‘We’ve got this.’” For the Los Angeles Chargers, James isn’t just a safety—he’s a defensive anchor whose tackles will be crucial as the team fights for a playoff spot. In the end, Derwin James Jr.'s Tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers is more than a breakdown of plays; it’s a tribute to a player who turns defense into offense, and moments into victories.