Chargers' Hunter Henry: Quiet performance in preseason loss
Rotowire
Aug 19, 2019
Henry caught his only target for seven yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
The Chargers didn't give many snaps to their first-team offense, and after Henry made a grab on the first possession he quickly made his way to the sidelines. The fourth-year tight end missed all of last season due to an ACL tear, so a restricted exhibition workload is to be expected, but with Antonio Gates having ridden off into the sunset, the path is clear for Henry to finally live up to his billing as the 35th overall pick in the 2016 draft.
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Chargers' Mike Williams: Quick exit in preseason loss
Rotowire
Aug 19, 2019
Williams failed to bring in his only target in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
The Chargers gave most of their first-team offense only token snaps, so Williams had little chance to make an impact. The third-year wideout is widely anticipated to take a big step forward in 2019, and any extended absence from Keenan Allen (ankle) would only heighten the expectations around Williams.
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Chargers' Detrez Newsome: Little impact in preseason loss
Rotowire
Aug 19, 2019
Newsome carried the ball five times for 17 yards and caught his only target for five yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
The second-year back didn't look hampered by the minor leg injury he suffered in practice last weekend, but Newsome also didn't do much to make a positive impression on the coaches, posting pedestrian numbers for the second straight game. Troymaine Pope, however, did, ripping off an 81-yard score on a punt return. Even if Melvin Gordon's holdout drags on into the regular season, if the Week 1 roster allows for only one other running back behind Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, Newsome may need to find a way to make an impact in the Chargers' remaining exhibition tilts to hang onto his spot.
Chargers' Justin Jackson: Leading rusher in preseason loss
Rotowire
Aug 19, 2019
Jackson carried the ball eight times for 33 yards and caught his only target for nine yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
The second-year back led the Chargers in both totes and rushing yards, with his 17-yard scamper in the second quarter helping to set up the game's first touchdown. Jackson got work alongside Austin Ekeler with the first-team offense, and if Melvin Gordon's holdout drags on into the regular season, Jackson could see a significant workload as part of a backfield committee rather than merely being Ekeler's backup.
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Chargers' Austin Ekeler: Small workload in preseason loss
Rotowire
Aug 19, 2019
Ekeler carried the ball three times for nine yards and caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
He got the starter treatment in this one, seeing minimal snaps with the first-team offense before giving way to other backs the coaching staff wanted to get a better look at. Ekeler remains on track to be the No. 1 RB for the Chargers in Week 1 if Melvin Gordon is still holding out or not yet up to speed, but whether he would see the bulk of the backfield touches in that scenario, or be first among equals in a committee with the likes of Justin Jackson, isn't yet clear.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Will undergo surgery
Rotowire
1D ago
James (foot) will undergo surgery on his right foot to address the stress fracture in his fifth metatarsal and is expected to miss around three months, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.
James will be in good hands as foot/ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson is slated to perform the surgery, but the former may now be sidelined until at least early November. It would make sense for the Chargers to put James on IR and eventually designate him as one of their two players to return from the list, as the 2018 first-rounder would then be eligible to take the field Week 9 against the Packers in an absolutely best-case scenario. Regardless of the timeline, Adrian Phillips is expected to fill in at safety alongside the first-team defense while James remains out.
Chargers' Philip Rivers: Slated to sit out Sunday's game
Rotowire
2D ago
Rivers won't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Saints, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Rivers, who is no longer expected to sign a contract extension as he plays out the final year of his current deal, will thus sit out the Chargers' second exhibition tilt as a precuation. Assuming he sees some action in the team's third preseason game next week against the Seahawks, he'd presumably be working minus top playmakers Melvin Gordon (contract holdout) and Keenan Allen (ankle).
Chargers' Philip Rivers: Not planning to sign extension
Rotowire
2D ago
Rivers no longer is expected to sign a contract extension, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.
Reports throughout the offseason suggested Rivers would sign a new contract before Week 1, with the 37-year-old quarterback stating his intention to play at least one more season after 2019. This doesn't mean he's changed his mind, but it does suggest he'll wait until the offseason to discuss terms. Rivers is entering the final season of a four-year deal, suddenly looking at some question marks around him with Melvin Gordon (contract holdout), Keenan Allen (ankle) and starting left tackle Russell Okung (pulmonary embolism) all missing from practice.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Out indefinitely with foot injury
Rotowire
2D ago
James will be out indefinitely after sustaining a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot, ESPN's Eric D. Williams reports.
This close to Week 1, it seems all but certain that James will miss time out of the gate this season. The talented 23-year-old racked up 105 tackles as a rookie in 2018, along with 3.5 sacks and three interceptions, en route to earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. In his absence, look for Adrian Phillips to fill in at strong safety.
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Chargers' Adrian Phillips: Working with first team
Rotowire
1D ago
Phillips worked with the first-team defense at strong safety during Friday's practice, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.
Following news Friday that Derwin James suffered a foot injury that could cost him "a significant amount of time," Phillips has stepped into the latter's starting strong safety spot. With James' injury likely carrying into the regular season, Phillips is in line to take on a significant role in the Chargers' secondary.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Expected to miss some time
Rotowire
2D ago
James is dealing with a foot injury that could cost him "a significant amount of time," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
It remains to be seen how much action James will miss, but if his absence extends into the regular season, Adrian Phillips would likely be the player called upon to step up in James' usual top strong safety spot.
Green (leg) will be a limited participant in Friday's practice, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The specifics of what Green will be doing in practice Friday are still unknown, but it's a sign that the tight end is trending in the right direction after suffering a leg injury earlier in the week. Green's status for Saturday's preseason game against the Saints will likely be dependent on his participation over the next two days.
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Chargers' Derwin James: Misses practice Friday
Rotowire
2D ago
James was sporting a boot on his right ankle Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
As a result, the 2018 first-rounder missed Friday's practice and now looks iffy for Sunday's preseason game against the Saints. The Chargers starting safety is coming off an IDP-friendly rookie campaign in which he logged 105 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and a trio of picks.
