DJ Chark Bio
Darrell Demont “D. J.” Chark Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver. Born on September 23, 1996, in Alexandria, Louisiana, he built his reputation on straight-ahead speed and became a prominent deep threat in the National Football League. After starring at Louisiana State University, Chark entered the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 and has since suited up for multiple franchises. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 after surpassing 1,000 receiving yards with the Jaguars.
Across his professional career, Chark has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing roughly 200 pounds, he has remained a vertical receiver capable of stretching opposing defenses. He is known around the league by the nickname “The Flash,” a tag he earned during his college years at LSU.
Early Life and Background
Chark was born to Darrell Chark and Shirley Chark on September 23, 1996, in Alexandria, Louisiana. He grew up in the same central Louisiana city that helped shape his love for athletics. As a youth, he played in a local youth football league, where he lined up primarily as a running back and developed an early feel for the game.
Chark attended Alexandria Senior High School, where he played high school football and also competed on the track team. His blend of size and speed caught the attention of several college programs, and he fielded offers from programs such as Memphis, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M. He ultimately chose Louisiana State University, opting to remain in his home state to continue his development.
Path to American Football
Chark committed to LSU and arrived on campus as part of the Tigers’ 2014 recruiting class. He played at LSU from 2014 to 2017 under head coaches Les Miles and Ed Orgeron, learning the fundamentals of the wide receiver position. After a quiet start, he did not record a reception during his first two seasons, using that time to refine his route running and conditioning.
His production increased sharply as a junior in 2016, when he caught 26 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior in 2017, Chark posted 40 receptions for 874 yards and three touchdowns, and his straight-ahead speed earned him the “The Flash” nickname. On December 18, 2017, he accepted an invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl, where he led all players with five catches for 160 yards and a touchdown and earned co-MVP honors. He then attended the NFL Scouting Combine, where he tied for fourth among all participants in the 40-yard dash, and was widely projected as a second-round pick.
DJ Chark Career
Early Career (2018)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Chark in the second round with the 61st overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the eighth wide receiver taken that year. On May 25, 2018, he signed a four-year, $4.44 million rookie contract that included a $1.31 million signing bonus. He made his first professional reception in Week 2 against the New England Patriots, a 13-yard catch that was followed by a fumble on the same play.
Chark closed his rookie season with 14 receptions for 174 receiving yards, while also serving as the Jaguars’ primary kick returner. The experience offered a measured introduction to the professional level and set the stage for his breakthrough the following year.
Jacksonville Jaguars Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Chark emerged as Jacksonville’s featured receiver in 2019. In Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he posted four catches for 146 yards and a touchdown, recording the best yards-per-reception figure in a single game in Jaguars history. He added seven catches for 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against the Houston Texans, then scored his third receiving touchdown of the year in a Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Two of his most productive games came in losses. In Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers, Chark caught eight passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns, a total that ranks eighth in Jaguars franchise history. In Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, he added eight receptions for 104 yards and two more scores. He finished the 2019 season with 73 receptions for 1,008 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns, becoming the fifth Jaguar to reach the 1,000-yard milestone and leading the team in scoring among non-kickers. His performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection.
In 2020, Chark remained a central piece of Jacksonville’s offense. He caught eight passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and he added seven receptions for 146 yards with a 73-yard touchdown in Week 9 against the Houston Texans. He finished the season with 53 catches for 706 yards and five touchdowns.
Jacksonville Jaguars Late Stint (2021)
Chark had his 2021 season interrupted by injuries. After offseason surgery to repair a broken finger, he suffered a fractured ankle in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals and was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2021. He played in only four games and finished with seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns. At the time of his departure, he ranked in the top 10 in Jaguars franchise history in receiving touchdowns, yards per reception, and 100-yard games.
Detroit Lions Era (2022)
On March 17, 2022, Chark signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Detroit Lions. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 3, missed two games, and was placed on injured reserve on October 22, 2022, before being activated on November 19. After recording a touchdown in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills, he posted five receptions for 98 yards against his former Jaguars team, then added 94 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Minnesota Vikings. In the season finale against the Green Bay Packers, he had just three receptions for 14 yards, but two of them were critical fourth-down conversions that set up the game-winning touchdown and helped eliminate Green Bay from playoff contention. He finished the year with 502 receiving yards in 11 games, the third-best total on the 9-8 Lions.
Carolina Panthers Era (2023)
Chark signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers on March 24, 2023. His best outing came in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers, when he recorded six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns from rookie quarterback Bryce Young in a 33-30 loss. He finished the 2023 season with 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024)
On May 6, 2024, Chark signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He opened the year on injured reserve with a hip injury, was activated on November 2, and appeared in seven games. His lone touchdown of the season came in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chark’s game has always centered on top-end speed and the ability to stretch the field vertically. He tracks the deep ball effectively, separates from cornerbacks with long strides, and offers a reliable target on downfield shots. His combination of size and straight-line acceleration makes him most effective on go routes, post patterns, and jump-ball opportunities, and he has produced several of the longest receptions in Jaguars history. He pairs that physical profile with the route polish refined during his time at LSU under Les Miles and Ed Orgeron.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chark’s career is highlighted by a series of franchise-level firsts. He became the fifth Jaguars player to record a 1,000-yard receiving season in 2019, the same year he earned his lone Pro Bowl selection. His 146-yard effort in the 2019 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs set the franchise record for yards per reception in a single game. He also helped the Detroit Lions eliminate the rival Green Bay Packers from playoff contention with two clutch fourth-down conversions in the 2022 season finale.
DJ Chark Career Wins
Although individual statistics tell much of Chark’s story, his career has also featured several notable team results and signature performances. From his rookie touchdown against the New England Patriots to his fourth-down heroics against the Green Bay Packers, Chark has consistently delivered in meaningful moments. The following sections summarize his top statistical accomplishments across the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars Highlights
Chark spent his first four professional seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and produced the bulk of his signature numbers there. His 1,008-yard season in 2019 stands as the high-water mark, a campaign that included eight receiving touchdowns, a franchise-best yards-per-reception game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and a Week 5 outburst of 164 yards against the Carolina Panthers. He finished his Jaguars tenure ranked among the franchise’s all-time leaders in receiving touchdowns, yards per reception, and 100-yard games.
Other Wins and Performances
Chark’s post-Jacksonville stops produced several strong individual efforts. With the Detroit Lions, he posted back-to-back games of 94 and 98 receiving yards and played a decisive role in the season-ending victory over the Green Bay Packers. With the Carolina Panthers, he caught six passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers in 2023. With the Los Angeles Chargers, he appeared in seven games during the 2024 season and scored a touchdown in the finale against the Raiders.
DJ Chark Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chark was raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, by his parents, Darrell Chark and Shirley Chark. The family supported his athletic development from his earliest youth league games through his high school years at Alexandria Senior High School, and their backing helped him earn a path to LSU.
Personal Life
Chark continues to make his home in the United States and is active on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates. He maintains a strong connection to his hometown of Alexandria, Louisiana, and frequently credits his family for supporting his football journey.
2025 Season Performance
On July 25, 2025, Chark signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The move gave him an opportunity to compete for a depth role on a roster looking to add experienced pass-catching help. However, his tenure with Atlanta was brief, as he was released by the Falcons on August 18.
Chark’s release leaves his next NFL destination open as the 2025 regular season approaches. With a resume that includes a 1,000-yard season and a Pro Bowl nod, he remains a viable veteran option for teams in need of a vertical receiver. Heading into the rest of 2025, his focus will be on securing a roster spot and continuing to extend the career that began with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018.