Justin Herbert won’t play in the Chargers’ preseason opener against the Rams on Saturday night, but Chase Daniel and Easton Stick will get plenty of snaps. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa aren’t likely to be in pads, and J.C. Jackson and Derwin James Jr. probably won’t play, either.
Most, but not all, of the Chargers’ starters won’t play until their regular-season opener on Sept. 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. Some training camp battles must be determined before opening day, so some potential starters and key backups will play against the Rams.
Backup quarterback is one of those positions.
“You’re going to see both quarterbacks in the preseason,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said, referring to Daniel and Stick. “It’s going to be a real healthy competition between both of them. I like the way both of them are playing. I think it’ll probably be similar to last season.”
Right tackle is another.
“I think you’ll definitely be able to see both of those guys,” Staley said.
By “both of those guys,’ Staley meant Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins III.
Backup running back is yet another battle, with Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III and Isaiah Spiller among the top contenders to play behind starter Austin Ekeler. If the Chargers stick to their less-is-more plan with Ekeler this season, then this could be a very important job.
The backup receiver positions also could be up for grabs among a larger group that includes Joshua Palmer, DeAndre Carter, Michael Bandy, Jalen Guyton, Jason Moore Jr. and Joe Reed. Carter is the top kick and punt returner on the depth chart, but he’s caught plenty of passes in camp.
Staley gave a very long answer when asked about the process of determining who plays during the exhibitions against the Rams on Saturday, the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 20 and the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 26. The short version is that the games are important for evaluation.
“If we know who you are and … we don’t need to evaluate you, then you’re probably not going to play in the preseason,” Staley said. “But … if we feel like those experiences are going to benefit them, then that’s the direction we’re going to go. Then, your health is a big, big factor, too.”
In other words, a healthy Herbert isn’t likely to play a down until the opening drive against the Raiders, leaving Daniel and Stick to guide the team and battle for second on the depth chart. Herbert has nothing to prove after setting a Chargers record with 5,014 passing yards last season.
Daniel and Stick have plenty to prove.
Stick is the likely front-runner, but nothing has been settled.
Daniel is likely to play for one half on Saturday and Stick is expected to play the other.
“I think he has a huge role on this team,” Staley said specifically of Stick. “I thought he had a huge role last year. Easton is really improving as a player and I can’t say that enough. He and Chase play a big role with Justin, and we feel like our quarterback (position) is a big edge for our team.”
So, what should we expect to see from the Chargers on Saturday against the Rams and in the two exhibitions to follow? Maybe some healthy competition for jobs. Perhaps some over-eagerness after three weeks of practicing against teammates. Probably some mistakes, too.
It’s all part and parcel of playing football in August.
“I think our guys are ready to compete against somebody else,” Staley said. “I think we’re at that healthy point in camp where our systems have been installed, you’re playing against the same people, and there’s that extra physicality that comes with playing against the same people all the time.
“I felt like it has been a really healthy competition (in camp), especially coming off the (intrasquad) scrimmage (Sunday). I feel like our guys are improving and that’s what I like to see the most. It got a little edgy this week on the practice field and that’s always a healthy thing. It’s a sign of pride in performance.”
Then there is the nagging question of James’ participation. Or lack thereof. He hasn’t joined the Chargers for any of their 13 camp practices while awaiting a contract extension that’s expected sooner than later. The Chargers don’t seem all that concerned – outwardly, at least.
“A huge part of me wishes that he was out here,” Staley said. “It would make everybody a lot better, but this is just part of the process. This is a big thing for him and we’re working through it, and we’ve done a really good job as an organization and with his team of working through it together.”
