Chargers activate DL Justin Jones from IR ahead of Week 8 game vs. Patriots

The Chargers will have one of their starting defensive linemen back for their Week 8 matchup against the Patriots. They moved Justin Jones from their IR list to the active roster Saturday. To make roster space, the team waived defensive lineman Forrest Merrill.

A two-year starter at defensive tackle, Jones has played in just one game this season. The interior D-lineman stands to provide a boost for a Bolts team that is aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

A calf injury sidelined Jones in September, but the Chargers appeared to expect him back sooner. They did not place the fourth-year defender on IR until early October. The additional rest, however, proved beneficial. The Chargers will now have their combo of Jones, Linval Joseph and former first-rounder Jerry Tillery healthy as they attempt to shake off a blowout loss to the Ravens.

Pro Football Focus graded Jones as a top-40 interior D-lineman last season. The former third-round pick is in a contract year. Although the Bolts have Kenneth Murray on IR, only four players appear on their Week 8 injury report. That is certainly a good sign at this point in the season.