EL SEGUNDO — Derwin James Jr., the Chargers’ versatile Pro Bowl safety, might be placed on injured reserve after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from a nagging hamstring injury that has limited him to three games this season, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh revealed on Wednesday.

James hasn’t played since the Chargers’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, the third of the winless team’s six losses to start the season.

If he’s placed on IR, he wouldn’t be eligible to play again until Nov. 29 against the New England Patriots. He would sit out upcoming games against the Rams, the Houston Texans, the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets. He has been sidelined for losses to the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

The move wasn’t official, as of Wednesday, though.

“It’s looking like he may go to IR,” Harbaugh said.

James, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, signed a three-year, $75.6 million contract extension in May to stay with the Chargers, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL by average annual salary for the second time in his career. He also signed a four-year, $76.532 million extension in 2022.

He said in May that his new contract, which could keep him in a Chargers uniform through the 2029 season, “means the world to me.”

James needs one sack to become only the fifth player in NFL history with 20 sacks, 40 tackles for loss and 700 overall tackles in his first 110 games. He has 19 sacks, 40 tackles for loss and 705 overall tackles in 101 games. He was the fastest defensive back to reach 700 tackles since 2000.

INJURIES (PART 2)

James wasn’t the Chargers’ only injury concern as they returned to their practice fields after a day off Tuesday, and with their bye week self-evaluation now complete. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey and defensive back/special teams ace Deane Leonard remained in concussion protocol.

In addition, left guard Kayode Awosika did not practice because of a leg injury that has limited him to two games this season after signing a one-year contract with a salary cap hit of $1.886 million with the Chargers in March. Wide receiver Brenen Thompson (hamstring) also sat out.

What’s more, Harbaugh said several players eligible to return from injured reserve are making progress, but they aren’t sound enough to return to the active roster. Offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III (knee) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (undisclosed) aren’t ready to practice or play.

“Close but not quite there yet,” Harbaugh said of Pipkins and Perryman.

Pipkins and Perryman are among eight Chargers on IR. Quarterback Trey Lance (groin), fullback Alec Ingold (shoulder), center Tyler Biadasz (knee), left tackle Rashawn Slater (ankle), offensive lineman Trevor Penning (concussion) and tight end David Njoku (knee) are the others.

MCDANIEL UPDATE

In the end, after a week of self-examination and discussion about ways to improve the Chargers’ 32nd-ranked offense, Harbaugh did not relieve beleaguered coordinator Mike McDaniel of his play-calling duties. Harbaugh used the word “trust” to describe his belief in McDaniel.

“Everybody in the organization approached this bye week and, going forward, I mean, every resource, everybody contributing from analytics to coaching to every corner of the building, we need to win, and that’s what it starts with today,” Harbaugh said in a roundabout way when asked directly if McDaniel would continue to call plays.

Harbaugh then clarified McDaniel’s status as the offensive play-caller.

“He is, yes,” Harbaugh said.

UGLY NUMBERS

The Chargers are averaging 15 points per game, last in the 32-team NFL. They are averaging 287.2 net yards per game, 28th in the league. They are averaging 119 net rushing yards per game (13th) They are averaging 168.2 net passing yards per game (28th).

Their third-down conversion rate of 35.2% is 29th-best in the NFL.

“Efficient, just more efficient,” Harbaugh said of the possibility of simplifying McDaniel’s offense over the season’s final 11 games. “How to take it from meeting to practice to game, you know, just being a percentage better in those (various) situations is what we’re hoping for.”