COSTA MESA — The Chargers placed right tackle Bryan Bulaga on injured reserve and signed a familiar offensive lineman Friday.
Bulaga, who’s dealing with groin and back injuries, will now miss at least the next three games. He was unable to finish last week’s season-opening win at Washington because of the back injury.
Chargers coach Brandon Staley said he’s optimistic about Bulaga returning after serving his mandatory three games off.
“I don’t think it’s going to be long term right now,” Staley said. “Prognosis is good for the long-term standpoint, but felt like the minimum of three (games) is where we wanted to go with it.”
Storm Norton will start at right tackle in place of Bulaga on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium. Norton played 36 offensive snaps and allowed a sack against Washington after Bulaga left with the back injury.
“I think that he performed really well,” Staley said about Norton’s performance last week. “At halftime, we were able to get him situated, and I felt like he was able to do a good job in observation mode in that first half of understanding their plan of attack, where their rushers were, and from a scheme standpoint, what they had activated.”
With Bulaga on injured reserve, the Chargers signed offensive lineman Michael Schofield, who played for the team from 2017 to 2019. He started 39 of 49 games in his first stint with the Chargers. Schofield spent the 2020 season with the Carolina Panthers.
Staley said he doesn’t expect Schofield to be on the active gameday roster this week.
The Chargers caught a break with the Cowboys likely playing without their top two edge rushers. DeMarcus Lawrence broke his foot in practice this week and Randy Gregory is on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Bulaga, 32, has been plagued with injuries since signing with the Chargers last year. He missed six games last season because of injury and was sidelined most of training camp this summer.
The Chargers have been cautious with the 12-year veteran by having him rest during practices, but that hasn’t worked so far.
HARRIS OUT VS. COWBOYS
The Chargers will also be without cornerback Chris Harris Jr. versus the Cowboys.
Harris injured his shoulder after taking a fall against Washington, according to Staley. The former Pro Bowl cornerback didn’t practice all week.
“We’ve just been trying to be really careful with it,” Staley said about Harris’ shoulder injury. “Range of motion strength, just making sure that he’s safe and sound before he goes back out there. Nothing long term, but just be careful.”
Harris primarily plays slot cornerback, but he also contributes at outside cornerback and safety. Staley declined to say who will play slot cornerback, but added that Alohi Gilman and Trey Marshall will help at safety. That could mean safety Derwin James will contribute at slot cornerback, like he did last week against Washington.
Staley said he prefers to keep rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. on the outside instead of moving him to the inside. The Chargers will likely have Tevaughn Campbell and Kemon Hall assist at slot cornerback when James shifts to other positions.
“We’re excited to see those other guys play,” Staley said. “But the good news is all those guys have gotten a lot of work through the preseason and into the first game. So excited to watch those guys compete.”
Staley said he expects starting safety Nasir Adderley to play Sunday, despite dealing with a groin injury. Adderley was a limited participant Friday and listed as questionable against the Cowboys.
The Chargers’ defensive backs will have their hands full against quarterback Dak Prescott and his many playmakers.
JONES DOUBTFUL VS. COWBOYS
The Chargers’ defense could be down two starters if defensive tackle Justin Jones isn’t able to play Sunday.
Jones was listed as doubtful because of a calf injury. He missed every practice this week.
Staley named Christian Covington as a possible candidate to fill in for Jones in the interior of the defensive line next to Linval Joseph and Jerry Tillery.
