Tyrod Taylor’s Week 4 Status Very Much In Doubt, Chargers Still View Him As Starter

According to Jason La Canfora, sources throughout the Chargers organization are adamant that QB Tyrod Taylor will remain the team’s starter when he’s healthy enough to play. 

Taylor is currently week-to-week after his lung was accidentally punctured by the team doctor while he was administering a pain-killing shot. Taylor got the shot 15 minutes before kickoff last week to help play through cracked ribs but had to give way to first-round QB Justin Herbert after Taylor almost immediately had trouble breathing. 

Chargers sources tell La Canfora Taylor is very much in doubt for Week 4 as well. Still, when he’s healthy, a team source notes “We like Tyrod a lot for a lot of reasons,” adding “he is a steadying presence” and “doesn’t turn the ball over.” 

The NFLPA is also investigating whether there was any malpractice on part of the team, per La Canfora, as well as if Taylor was informed of all the risks and if he suffered any long-term harm to his health or earning potential. 

La Canfora points out if Taylor loses his starting job to Herbert, who played better than the team expected in relief of the veteran in Week 2 despite the loss to the Chiefs, that could be grounds for the union to claim the incident damaged Taylor’s earning potential by relegating him to a backup role again. 

La Canfora writes Herbert’s play the next week or two will be a factor in the Chargers’ decision but there are currently a number of reasons on and off the field for them to stick with the veteran Taylor. 

Taylor, 31, is a former sixth-round pick of the Ravens back in 2011. After four years in Baltimore, Taylor signed on with the Bills for the 2015 season. Buffalo elected to trade Taylor to the Browns for a third-round pick last year. 

Taylor played out the final year of a two-year, $30.5 million contract before agreeing to a two-year contract worth $11 million with the Chargers last year. 

In 2020, Taylor has appeared in one game for the Chargers and completed 16 of 30 attempts (53.3 percent) for 208 yards and no touchdowns. He has also rushed for seven yards.

We’ll have more on the Chargers quarterback situation as the news is available.