The Falcons released Chark on Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Chark signed with the Falcons at the start of training camp, but he's shown very little across 30 offensive snaps this preseason, securing just one of three targets for 11 yards. Chark turns 29 years old next month, and his career appears to be running on fumes after producing a 4-31-1 receiving line across seven regular-season games for the Chargers in 2024 before spending much of the offseason as a free agent.
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Falcons' DJ Chark: Quiet in preseason
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Chark caught one of three passes for 11 yards during Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans.
After not catching a pass across 10 offensive snaps in Atlanta's preseason opener, Chark delivered another quiet performance in Week 2. Not only is the veteran not part of the expected roster lock group who've spent the first two exhibitions in street clothes, but he's also been outperformed by practice-squad guys like Chris Blair and Dylan Drummond. Despite plenty of experience and an injury to Darnell Mooney (shoulder), Chark is currently on the outskirts of the Falcons' initial 53-man roster, per Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site.
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Falcons' DJ Chark: Moving to ATL
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The Falcons agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Chark on Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Chark had a tryout with the Bears on Monday and then met with the Falcons to cap the week before finding his next home. In his only season with the Chargers in 2024, he was beset by injuries and made just eight appearances, including a wild-card loss at Houston, en route to five catches (on 14 targets) for 41 yards and one touchdown. The 28-year-old likely will be vying with Casey Washington, Jamal Agnew and Chris Blair, among others, for one of Atlanta's final WR spots as training camp and the preseason proceed.
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DJ Chark: Visits Windy City
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Chark recently visited the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Monday.
Chark remains an unrestricted free agent as teams begin training camp. The 28-year-old wide receiver had just 31 receiving yards in seven regular-season appearances for the Chargers in 2024 after working his way back from hip and groin injuries. Chark has exceeded 500 receiving yards in four of his seven NFL seasons. He'll likely compete for a depth role if signed by the Bears or any other team.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Injuries derail season
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Chark appeared in seven regular-season games for the Chargers in 2024, making four catches (on 10 targets) for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Chark signed a one-year deal in the spring and likely was pegged to take over the deep-threat role in the Chargers offense left behind by the departure of Mike Williams. However, a hip injury and then a groin injury to follow delayed the LSU product's team debut. The missed time left Chark unable to catch up, as he also missed a game as a healthy scratch. Set to be an unrestricted free agent this spring, the 28-year-old could be a candidate for a second opportunity, or he may have to look elsewhere to be on an NFL sideline in 2025.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Wraps regular season with one catch
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Chark secured one of three targets for six yards during Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Raiders.
Chark's inaugural season with the Chargers was disastrous, as he compiled just four grabs for 41 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets across seven regular-season appearances. Hip and groin injuries resulted in Chark's 2024 debut being delayed until Week 10. He has drawn seven combined targets in his last two appearances however, as he finally gets a chance to establish some chemistry with Justin Herbert. Chark will try to make an impact in the playoffs, beginning with Saturday's wild-card round game against Houston, prior to hitting free agency this offseason.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Moving into No. 3 role Sunday
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Chark is projected to operate as the Chargers' No. 3 receiver in Sunday's Week 18 game against the Raiders due to Joshua Palmer (toe) being designated as inactive for the contest.
Chark has been a virtual afterthought in his debut Chargers campaign due to both injury and ineffectiveness. The veteran wideout enters the regular-season finale against the Raiders with just three receptions for 25 yards on seven targets across six games, but at least by depth-chart slotting, he'd be the next man up behind Palmer. It remains to be seen how long head coach Jim Harbaugh will keep his starting offense in Sunday, but Chark is one player who could potentially see action in all four quarters.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Modest production against Tampa Bay
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Chark caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Chark played just nine of the Chargers' 52 offensive snaps in the contest, well behind fellow receivers Ladd McConkey (46), Joshua Palmer (39) and Quentin Johnston (38). The veteran's two receptions, two targets and 16 yards were season highs in each category, highlighting what has been a disappointing season for the 28-year-old. Chark has appeared in just four games for Los Angeles and is clearly not a priority option in the Chargers' passing attack. He should be ignored for fantasy purposes when the Chargers host the Broncos in Week 16.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Active for Sunday's game
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Chark is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Chark is back in the Chargers' wideout mix Sunday, but with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer also on hand, Chark will remain a speculative fantasy option until he turns in a full and productive game.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Could be active for Week 13
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Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that Chark could be active for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. "The opportunity is there," Harbaugh said. "I really like what I see, and like every week, there's an opportunity. The opportunity is guaranteed, and DJ has the license and the ability to take advantage of that opportunity."
The Chargers are relatively healthy at wideout and seem content with their starting trio of Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer, but Chark may be able to re-enter the mix as a fourth option for the position group. After being activated from injured reserve Week 9, Chark has been active for just one of the Chargers' ensuing four games, playing one snap in total.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Plays one snap in season debut
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Chark played one offensive snap in the 27-17 win over the Titans on Sunday.
Chark finally made his season debut after missing the past nine games due to a groin injury, but in a matchup that significantly favored the Chargers from the jump, the veteran figured to be a smaller cog in a run-heavy offense. It'll be interesting to see if Chark gets more run against a Cincinnati pass defense next week that has been incredibly vulnerable this season.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Inactive Sunday
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Chark (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
The Chargers activated Chark (groin) from injured reserve Saturday, but he'll have to wait at least another week before making his season debut. In his continued absence, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer and Simi Fehoko are set to lead the Chargers' Week 9 wideout corps, with Jalen Reagor and Derius Davis also on hand.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Back on active roster
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The Chargers activated Chark (groin) from injured reserve Saturday, but he remains questionable for Sunday's game at Cleveland.
Chark is closing in on his season debut, and considering he capped Week 9 prep with back-to-back full practices, he may be able to make an instant impact in the Chargers' receiving corps, assuming he's made active about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If that comes to pass, Chark will have to contend with rookie Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer and Simi Fehoko for snaps and targets.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Questionable for Week 9
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Chark (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Chark remains on injured reserve, but he has made progress in his recovery, as indicated by his ability to practice without limitations for the first time all season Thursday. He would first need to be officially activated from injured reserve in order to make his season debut Sunday. Chark's 21-day window to return from IR was opened Oct. 16, so the Chargers still have the option of holding him out Sunday and activating him prior to facing the Titans in Week 10.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Chark (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Chark has been regularly listed as limited since having his 21-day practice window opened. The veteran wide receiver hasn't yet played this season, but he should be nearing a return and might even be a candidate to suit up for Sunday's road game against the Browns. Chark will need to be activated from injured reserve before being eligible to make his Chargers debut, however.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Not returning Week 8
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Chark (groin) was not activated off injured reserve ahead of Sunday's contest versus New Orleans.
Chark hasn't yet played this season, though he was designated to return from IR on Oct. 16. The veteran receiver logged a trio of limited practices this week, so he appears to be getting closer to a return. The Chargers elevated a pair of wideouts (Jaylen Johnson and Jalen Reagor) from the practice squad Saturday to help round out a wideout corps that will likely be without Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Derius Davis (hamstring) on Sunday in addition to Chark.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Questionable for Sunday
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Chark (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints after practicing in a limited fashion this week.
Chark has continued to log limited practices since having his 21-day practice window opened last Wednesday, and the Chargers have until Saturday afternoon to activate him from IR ahead of Week 8 action. If he's available this weekend, Chark could step into a key role in the team's passing offense, with Quentin Johnston (ankle) listed as doubtful and Ladd McConkey questionable with a hip injury that he's been managing.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Season debut on hold
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Chark (groin) wasn't activated from injured reserve ahead of Monday night's game against the Cardinals.
After his 21-day practice window was opened Wednesday, Chark logged limited practice listings Thursday through Saturday before approaching Week 7 action listed as questionable. With his regular-season debut on hold, Chark's next chance to see game action will arrive Sunday against the Saints.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Listed as questionable
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Chark (groin) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Cardinals.
Chark practiced in limited fashion all week, so it's unclear if that kind of practice cadence will allow for the veteran wide receiver to make his season debut, even with the numerous injuries to the Chargers receiving corps. Expect more information regarding Chark's status to come before the 9:00 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Chargers' DJ Chark: Approaching return to practice
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Chark (hip) is on track to return to practice this coming week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Chark is currently on IR, but it looks like his 21-day practice window will open up shortly. Once the wideout is back up to speed, he'll have a chance to reclaim a key role in a Chargers' WR corps that's currently led by Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey.
