Category: Latest Chargers news

Chargers HC Anthony Lynn speaks on QB Tyrod Taylor fiasco

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn is not upset with the team doctor.

The Los Angeles Chargers gained national attention on Wednesday when news broke out that one of the team’s doctor punctured quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s lung with a pain management injection prior to Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Taylor being hospitalized with what was called a “chest injury” at the time then led to rookie quarterback Justin Herbert getting the start, where he took the Bolts to overtime against the defending Super Bowl champions, which then created a quarterback controversy.

At Wednesday’s media availability, coach Anthony Lynn talked about the situation by first addressing the mistake made with Taylor’s pregame injection, stating, “I’m not angry at all. It happens. No one’s perfect. The doctor is a good man. It’s just unfortunate.”

Lynn confirmed that Herbert will get the start this Sunday against the Panthers while Taylor recovers. The team doesn’t plan to place the 30-year old on the injured reserve, and Lynn reiterated what he said earlier this week that Taylor will remain the starter once he’s cleared to play.

Regarding everything going on, Lynn said that Taylor has been “real professional about it,” adding that’s what the team expects from Tyrod.

At the end of the day, Lynn is going to have a decision to make. If Herbert is able to have another solid outing, it’ll make it tough for him to stick to his words about Taylor going back to being the starter.

Only time will tell.

5 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 3 battle with Panthers

What to know heading into the Los Angeles Chargers’ Week 3 matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

The Chargers will be meeting with the Panthers this Sunday in Week 3 of the 2020 regular season.

Los Angeles is looking to get back to a winning record while Carolina is searching for their first win.

Here are five things to know about this weekend’s contest:

Missing best player

The Panthers will be without a player that would’ve likely been a large factor of the matchup. Running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on the injured reserve after suffering a high-ankle sprain in last Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers. McCaffrey is not only one of the league’s best running backs, but one of the best receivers. The offense revolved around him, and now they will have to go on without him for the next month or so. Carolina will now rely on Mike Davis to fill the void.

Robby is on the rise

With the Panthers missing McCaffrey, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will look to his other favorite weapon, wide receiver Robby Anderson. Anderson, who was acquired this past offseason, is fourth in the NFL with 223 receiving yards through two weeks. Meanwhile, Bridgewater is fourth in the NFL with 636 passing yards.

Herbert will start

Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert will make his second straight start. This comes after team doctors advised Tyrod Taylor not to play indefinitely due to his punctured lung. In his professional debut, Herbert threw for 311 yards and recorded two total touchdowns and one interception in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs.

Facing familiar faces

The Panthers boast three players that used to suit up in the blue and gold, offensive tackle Russell Okung, safety Tre Boston and guard Michael Schofield, as well as offensive line coach Pat Meyers. Okung, who was a part of the deal to acquire guard Trai Turner, is the starting left tackle. He was inactive in Week 1, but he started the following week. Boston is the starting free safety. He has amassed 10 total tackles and a forced fumble. Schofield has started two games at left guard.

Struggling to get to the quarterback

This matchup may be in favor of the Chargers’ quarterback and running backs as the Panthers are the only defense in the league to not post a sack in the first two games. They have only posted one quarterback hit, as well. Their run defense ranks below average, giving up 127.5 yards per game.

Chargers open as favorites over Panthers in Week 3

The Los Angeles Chargers are seen as favorites heading into their Week 3 battle with the Carolina Panthers.

The Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) are looking to get back on track after suffering defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) last Sunday.

Going into this weekend’s contest, the Chargers are 6.5-point favorites over the Carolina Panthers (0-2) in Week 3 of the 2020 regular season, per BetMGM.

Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert got the surprise start in Week 2, taking the defending Super Bowl champions to overtime. Unfortunately, they were unable to prevail, falling to the Chiefs by the score of 23-20.

Meanwhile, the Panthers dropped their second straight contest after the Buccaneers’ defense was too much for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and company, forcing Carolina into four turnovers in their 31-17 loss.

Sunday’s matchup will begin at 1:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

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Where Chargers stand in NFL power rankings after Week 2

The Los Angeles Chargers bumped up a few spots in some power rankings, despite the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chargers battled with the Chiefs in a tight matchup, but they were unable to prevail, dropping the contest by the score of 23-20.

After the loss, let’s see what the nation thinks of Los Angeles:

USA Today: 15 (Previous: 18)

“As part of his unexpected but impressive debut Sunday, rookie Justin Herbert became first Bolts QB to score a rushing TD since 2011.”

Touchdown Wire: 13 (Previous: 13)

“The Chargers lost 23-20 in overtime, but Herbert completed 22 of 33 passes for 311 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also ran for a touchdown, becoming the first rookie to throw and run for a touchdown in the first half of his first NFL game since Bob Clatterbuck of the Giants did it in 1954. His interception was a horrid throw into triple coverage, but regardless of Herbert’s growing pains, kudos to Lynn for handling the situation with aplomb, as seems to be his way.”

NFL: 18 (Previous: 20)

“That’s why you always stay ready, kids. Justin Herbert didn’t know he was making his NFL debut until right before kickoff on Sunday, which made the resulting performance against the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs all the more impressive. Herbert kept his poise and made a number of quality throws, giving the offense a spark it didn’t have under Tyrod Taylor in Week 1. Taylor spent part of his Sunday in a hospital dealing with chest pains, but head coach Anthony Lynn said the veteran will remain the starter if healthy. To which we ask … why? Herbert is the future of the franchise, and he’s now proved he can learn on the job while keeping the Chargers competitive. Tyrod Taylor is a good man, but he’s not the right man for these Chargers at QB1.”

ESPN: 18 (Previous: 22)

“Ekeler was targeted just once against Cincinnati a week ago. Coach Anthony Lynn realized Ekeler needed to be more involved against the Chiefs, and he was electric. Ekeler had four catches for 55 yards and ran the ball 16 times for 93 yards. He got the extra yard where none was expected. The undrafted and little-known 5-foot-10 back out of Western Colorado figures to be important down the road. He should, as he signed a four-year $24.5 million contract extension in March.”

CBS Sports: 15 (Previous: 15)

“It looks like Tyrod Taylor is back in at quarterback after missing last week, but they have to feel good about the way rookie Justin Herbert played. He is the future.”

Sports Illustrated: 15

“One whiffed coaching decision from being 2-0 with a win over the Chiefs and an ascending rookie quarterback. Kudos to Anthony Lynn for not abandoning Tyrod Taylor yet, but also nice work in getting Justin Herbert ready with almost zero practice reps during a pandemic.”

Sporting News: 16 (Previous: 13)

“Justin Herbert may not have the starting gig for good, Anthony Lynn says? What the? Going back to Tyrod Taylor, even if healthy, would not make any sense. Plus, it’s the Panthers in Week 3, a great game for Herbert to keep building confidence. The rookie leaning so well on running game, defense and good receivers had to be inspiring, right?”

Chargers sign safety Jahleel Addae to practice squad

The Los Angeles Chargers are bringing back a familiar face.

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed safety Jahleel Addae to their practice squad.

Addae spent his first six seasons with the Chargers after signing with the team as an undrafted rookie out of Central Michigan in 2013. In six seasons with the Bolts, he compiled 372 tackles, 21 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

Addae was released by L.A. last offseason, and was then signed by the Texans afterwards, where he started three games. In 16 contests, he amassed 45 tackles, three passes defensed and two interceptions.

The decision to bring back Addae comes after Rayshawn Jenkins suffered an injury last Sunday against the Chiefs, and the playing time this weekend for Desmond King looms after he voiced his displeasure in his playing time from the past couple of weeks.

Addae supplies depth at both safety positions, but he is geared more for the strong safety spot.

Poll: Should Chargers start Justin Herbert or Tyrod Taylor?

Who should be the Los Angeles Chargers’ starting quarterback moving forward?

There is a quarterback controversy in Los Angeles, and it’s only been three weeks into the season.

After Tyrod Taylor was unable to start last Sunday due to an internal chest injury, rookie Justin Herbert delivered an eyebrow-raising performance against the defending Super Bowl champions.

Following the game, coach Anthony Lynn said that Taylor would remain the team’s starter if he is healthy. The following day, Lynn said, “There’s a lot we didn’t get done with Justin on the field yesterday. He’s a backup for a reason,” which stirred up a major debate.

Herbert made the point that he is ready to play at this level, despite making a couple of rookie mistakes. But there is one thing that Lynn emphasized before the season, and that’s winning the turnover battle. Even if Taylor has limitations as a passer, he is not known for throwing interceptions.

Herbert threw one against the Chiefs, which could be the reason why Lynn is hesitant to move forward with him as the starting quarterback. However, the positives of his performance outweighed the negatives.

L.A. has yet to announce who will be starting against the Panthers, but I believe the Chargers need to continue to start Herbert.

Let us know what you think. Who should roll into Week 3 as the starter and beyond.

Vote in the poll below.

Chargers bringing in safety Jahleel Addae for visit

The Los Angeles Chargers team could be eyeing a reunion with safety Jahleel Addae.

The Chargers are looking to bring back a familiar face.

According to Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, safety Jahleel Addae is visiting Los Angeles.

Coach Anthony Lynn was asked at Monday’s availability to see if it was true, and he confirmed, adding that he will be visiting at some point this week.

The decision to bring Addae in for a visit comes after Rayshawn Jenkins left Sunday’s game with an injury, and defensive back Desmond King voiced his displeasure with his lack of playing time.

Los Angeles is already without star safety Derwin James, who was placed on the injured before the regular season.

L.A. could be seeking to sign Addae to a short-term deal for depth purposes, and familiarity is key when it comes to their evaluation process.

Addae spent six seasons with the Bolts before being released last offseason. He spent last season with the Texans, posting 45 tackles and two interceptions

Injury updates on Chargers’ Bryan Bulaga, Rayshawn Jenkins, Justin Jones

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn gave injury updates for three players that left Sunday’s contest with an injury.

Throughout the course of the Chargers’ Week 2 loss to the Chiefs, they lost a few players due to their perspective injuries.

Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga was the first to go down, with a knee injury. Bulaga didn’t return to the action and was replaced by Trey Pipkins.

Coach Anthony Lynn said that Bulaga is day-to-day.

Another player that is day-to-day is safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who suffered a groin injury. Jenkins was replaced by Desmond King.

Those two will likely be back in action very soon, but that may not be the case for defensive tackle Justin Jones.

Jones left the game with a shoulder injury, and Lynn said that it could be worst one out of the bunch. If Jones is unable to go, Tillery’s playing time will increase.

We will monitor these injuries as the Chargers start their preparation on Wednesday for the Week 3 matchup with the Panthers.

Chargers CB Desmond King voices displeasure over lack of playing time

Chargers cornerback Desmond King is not seeing the field as much as he would like.

After the Chargers signed cornerback Chris Harris Jr. this past offseason, there was a chance that Desmond King would see his playing time take a bit of a decline.

Through two games, King hasn’t seen the field nearly as much as he did in the first three seasons of his professional career, and he isn’t too happy about it.

Following the loss to the Chiefs, King went to his personal Twitter account to let his frustration out.

 

King played 44 of 77 defensive snaps Sunday. Nasir Adderley played 76. Rayshawn Jenkins played 34 before getting hurt. King wasn’t a part of the rotation before the injury to Jenkins occurred.

King has played 85 of 145 defensive snaps in two games, which is 59% of the snaps.

It wasn’t long when King was named All-Pro in 2018 after being a valuable asset on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams.

However, the former Iowa product’s play took a bit of a decline in 2019. He fell out of the graces of the coaching staff, and he was effectively suspended for a game in Week 14 last season for a reason that wasn’t explained.

King’s not happy about his lack of playing time, and surely, coach Anthony Lynn won’t be either after stumbling upon his tweets.

King is slated to become a free agent after the 2020 season.

Chargers need to continue to roll with QB Justin Herbert

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn has a tough decision to make.

It only took one game for rookie Justin Herbert to prove that he’s worth being the Chargers’ starting quarterback moving forward on Sunday against the defending the Super Bowl champions.

Herbert started the game in place of Tyrod Taylor, who didn’t play due to chest pains. He completed 22 of his 33 pass attempts for 311 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He added four more carries for 18 yards, which included a four-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

However, despite Herbert’s solid outing, there’s still a chance that he could go back to standing on the sidelines after this week. Following the game, coach Anthony Lynn said Taylor will remain the starter if he’s healthy.

“I am going to wait and check on my starting quarterback and see how he is doing,” Lynn said. “He is our starter for a reason. If he’s 100 percent ready to go, he’s our starter. I know Justin can pick up the slack if he can’t [go].”

In a statement released Sunday night, the team said Taylor had been discharged from the hospital. “His status for next Sunday’s game will be determined later this week.”

While he had a couple of rookie mistakes in his debut, Herbert flashed his arm and athleticism, all while staying composed against arguably the toughest team in the NFL.

Even though the Chargers didn’t see this coming, and were hoping to let him sit and grow, Herbert proved he can play at this level right now.

It’s understanding why Lynn would want to go back to Taylor because of his ball security, but Los Angeles has a really good young quarterback. The team needs to continue to build on this performance, and benching him surely won’t build up his confidence.