Elijah Molden returns to practice as 0-3 Chargers seek first win

Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Elijah Molden practiced on a limited basis after a hamstring injury cost him two games, though his game status remains unconfirmed.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Elijah Molden has returned to practice, a step forward for a team still searching for its first win of the 2026 NFL season. Molden had missed the Chargers' previous two games. His status for game action has not been confirmed, but his reappearance on the practice field is a positive development for the club.

The Chargers sit at 0-3, a start that has rarely led teams to the playoffs. The franchise is eager to get its season back on track, a push that requires players across the roster to handle their responsibilities. Reinforcements could also aid the effort, and one appears to be on the way.

Molden's injury dates to Week 1, a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He recorded five tackles in that game before a hamstring injury knocked him out, and he did not return. The issue has kept him sidelined since, and Los Angeles lost both of the games he missed.

The hamstring problem followed a demanding offseason for the defensive back. Molden underwent surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus, and he was ready in time for the start of training camp. He has been practicing on a limited basis as he works toward a return.

When available, Molden has been an important piece of the Chargers defense. He broke out as a consistent starter over the past two seasons, and Los Angeles reached the playoffs in each of them. He is not the sole reason for that success, but the team has generally been better with him on the field.

Molden entered the league as a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and began his career with the Tennessee Titans. He spent his first three seasons with the franchise, and his final year in Tennessee was his most productive there, with 73 total tackles and an interception.

The Titans traded Molden to the Chargers before the 2024 season in exchange for a late-round draft pick. He made a quick impact in Los Angeles, registering 75 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 15 games during his first season with the team. That production earned him a three-year contract extension ahead of the 2025 season.

Molden built on that campaign last season, appearing in 12 games and starting all of them while finishing with 52 tackles. He also played in the Chargers' lone playoff game, a wild-card round loss to the New England Patriots, and recorded two tackles.

The Chargers do not want to rush Molden back into the lineup before he is fully ready. Once he is cleared, his return would add an experienced starter to the secondary and a potential boost as Los Angeles works to save its season from an 0-3 start.