Chargers to open season without fans in attendance

The Chargers and Rams will open the regular season without any fans.

The Chargers, along with the Rams, have announced that they will begin the 2020 regular season without fans in attendance due to the coronavirus concerns.

“After careful consideration and discussion with state and local health officials, the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium have announced that Rams and Chargers games will be held without fans in attendance until further notice,” the Chargers and Rams said in a joint statement.

Both teams are set to embark on their first season at SoFi Stadium, the $5 billion stadium, in Inglewood, CA.

It remains to be seen if any fans will be allowed at all during the upcoming season. If cases drop in Southern California throughout the year, it’s possible that they will allow fans to attend games in a limited capacity.

The Chargers’ first home game is scheduled for Sept. 20 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.

Chargers WR Mike Williams ‘out for a while’ with shoulder injury

Someone will have to step in for the injured Mike Williams.

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams was listed as week-to-week on Monday after hurting his shoulder at practice the day before.

But Williams’ absence could be a bit longer than anticipated.

On Tuesday, coach Anthony Lynn said Williams will be “out for a while,” adding that he’s not certain if he will be ready for Week 1 against the Bengals.

With Williams out, someone will have to step up. Lynn says he likes the competition between the young wide receivers who are having to fill in with Williams sidelined indefinitely.

Jaylen Guyton, Darius Jennings, Jason Moore, Tyron Johnson and rookies Joe Reed and K.J. Hill will have opportunities to prove they can step in for the absent Williams during the last couple weeks of practices.

Chargers NT Linval Joseph drawing praise at training camp

The 11-year veteran’s presence will be huge in the trenches for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers had a void to fill after splitting ways with veteran nose tackle Brandon Mebane this offseason.

To do so, Los Angeles signed two-time Pro Bowl selection Linval Joseph to a two-year deal back in March.

Joseph, the 6-foot-4 and 329 pounder, has stood out to his new teammates for his gigantic size at training camp.

Joseph, who’s been walking interior offensive linemen back with ease in practices, was called “probably the strongest human I’ve ever came across” by defensive end Joey Bosa.

Joseph is coveted for his ability to draw double teams due to his size and strength. That will make life easier for those on the edge, including Bosa and Melvin Ingram, as it allows more one-on-one matchups.

“He’s gonna occupy one or maybe two every single time he’s in there. He should demand a double team or he’s just gonna be walking people back,” Bosa said.

Other lines that Joseph has been referred to by his teammates include “a mobile home,” “a walking refrigerator,” and “a running Coke machine.”

Joseph’s presence will be huge in the trenches, as he looks to make an impact both as a pass-rusher and run defender.

In 2019, Joseph tallied 44 tackles (26 solos), six tackles for loss, and three sacks. He also earned a grade of 71.2 from Pro Football Focus, marking the eighth straight season he’s received a grade above 70.

Report: Chargers WR Mike Williams week-to-week with shoulder sprain

The third-year wideout could possibly miss the season opener.

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams is considered week-to-week after suffering a shoulder sprain at practice on Sunday, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Williams was attempting to bring in a diving pass down the field, but he was unable to reel it in. He ended up falling on his right arm hard, which resulted in him having to leave practice early to get it checked out.

Rapoport added that his collarbone is currently intact. Per Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano, Williams was on the field watching practice on Monday.

With Los Angeles’ season opener against the Bengals in less than three weeks, Williams’ availability for the game is currently up in the air.

If the third-year player is unable to go in Week 1, it could lead to more opportunities for Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson and rookies Joe Reed and K.J. Hill.

Chargers WR Mike Williams getting shoulder checked out

The injury doesn’t appear to be serious.

Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams almost made a phenomenal one-handed catch during practice on Sunday. However, Williams was unable to reel it in. As a result, he left practice holding his right arm after coming down hard.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Williams left the practice field and went to the team’s doctor to receive tests on his shoulder. Rapoport added that the collarbone wasn’t damaged, and there’s optimism that it’s not a serious injury.

Williams is entering the third season of his professional career. The former Clemson product finished his 2019 campaign with 49 catches for 1,001 yards and two touchdowns. He had his fifth-year option exercised by Los Angeles earlier this offseason.

Updating Chargers’ competition for starting left tackle spot

Who will be the starting left tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers?

Who will be the starting left tackle for the Chargers in Week 1 of the 2020 season? All signs are pointing to Sam Tevi protecting Tyrod Taylor’s blindside.

Tevi, at the moment, is the front-runner for the starting job. Head coach Anthony Lynn said this week that Tevi is the “starter” for now and is in the “driver’s seat” at that spot.

In practice, Tevi has been primarily been working with the first-time. Meanwhile, his competition – Trey Pipkins, the team’s third-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft – has been with the second-team offense.

Heading into camp, it appeared that Pipkins was going to be the one to beat. But the coaching staff seems to covet Tevi’s experience in the starting role, the hope is that new offensive line coach James Campen will help with the young player’s development.

Campen has a track record of developing draft picks into standout players, including turning Bryan Bulaga into one of the more consistent right tackles in football and also developing David Bakhtiari into a fourth-round pick, into a first-team All-Pro.

Tevi is the front-runner, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him be the Week 1 starter, given the amount of reps he’s been receiving with the 1’s. But anything can happen between now and then.

“There’s a job requirement for the Los Angeles Chargers, and it’s left tackle,” Campen said. “Someone is going to fill that requirement. And it’s up to us to try to find that person.”

Chargers QB Justin Herbert faces struggles against first-team defense

The Los Angeles Chargers’ first-round pick didn’t have an eventful Friday practice.

The only way for a rookie to get acclimated to the speed to the NFL is to experience what it will be like come game day.

That’s how it was for quarterback Justin Herbert, who was tasked with going up against the Chargers’ first-team defense on Friday.

“Last couple days, he’s struggled a little bit,” coach Anthony Lynn said before the workout. “There’s a lot going on with protections and when you start doing more third downs. There’s more volume in the offense right now.

“I think this is going to help him take the next step. It’s good for him to be uncomfortable. As long as he’s uncomfortable and we don’t break his spirit, I think that’s an opportunity for great growth.”

Per Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano, Herbert saw plenty of pressure and threw a swing pass intercepted by defensive end Melvin Ingram.

With all the preseason games cancelled this year, the coaching staff has to modify a little bit to ensure that Herbert is facing the stiffest competition even if there are some struggles along the way.

Even though he was successful at the University of Oregon, having played there for four seasons, where he threw 1,293 passes for more than 10,000 yards and 95 touchdowns, the NFL is an entirely different beast.

At the beginning of camp, Herbert was impressive with his bullet passes and athleticism. He rarely missed throws and put the ball in the right place to his receivers.

“He’s out there making plays,” Tyrod Taylor said. “There’s still a learning curve, a learning process like [with] every young player in this league. But he’s doing his best. He’s going out there and making plays.”

But now, Herbert needs to continue to show that he’s capable of leading an NFL offense and be consistent when it comes to playing against stingier defenses.

Melvin Ingram returns to practice after Chargers guarantee his salary

Melvin Ingram will not be holding out of the 2020 season after all.

There was a potential holdout on the horizon over in Los Angeles, CA as defensive end Melvin Ingram sat out of consecutive practices due to being dissatisfied with his contract.

The Chargers didn’t want to deal with missing the 31-year old Ingram, which is why the team agreed to adjust his contract.

NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports that L.A. guaranteed this year’s salary of $14 million, making it enough for Ingram to return to practice.

Ingram, who is slated to become a free agent after this season, is still seeking a long-term deal. But the guarantee was good enough for him to return to the gridiron in the meantime.

In 106 career games, Ingram has recorded 350 combined tackles, 49 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Chargers’ backfield shining at training camp

The Chargers look to be efficient on the ground in 2020.

The Chargers’ offense is going to shift from pass-heavy to run-heavy this upcoming season.

Led by Austin Ekeler, the backfield features a rotation of young and healthy runners. The rest of the pack is made up of third-year Justin Jackson and rookie Joshua Kelley.

With the running game becoming the focal point this upcoming season, the backfield needs to be at its best. So far in training camp, each member has stood out.

Ekeler, who will be the feature back after Melvin Gordon’s departure, has done what he does best by beating defenders on the ground, as well as through the air, whether he’s been lined up out of the backfield or out wide.

The battle for RB2 is one of the more compelling positional competitions, which is between Jackson and Kelley. Both players have shined, making the battle even more stiff.

Jackson, the former Northwestern product, continues to churn out yards on the ground. After dealing with an injury in 2019, Jackson looks to stay healthy and produce like he has done in a limited capacity.

Jackson has averaged 5.1 yards on 79 carries and has caught 24 of 30 targets to this point in his career. He was praised by his teammate, Ekeler, calling him “so unique,” and even said he’s making an effort to emulate certain parts aspects of Jackson’s running style.

While Jackson may have the slight edge to win the job due to his experience in the league, Kelley is making things intriguing.

Kelley, the team’s fourth-round pick, is trying to show that he can carve up a significant role in his rookie season. He has been making the most of his reps with the first-team. The former UCLA product has been running with a physical mentality, while also showing off his speed.

Lynn spoke on Kelley on Friday, stating that he’s been having a good camp, and is a quick learner.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert finding his voice in the offense

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is still getting acclimated to an NFL offense.

At Oregon, quarterback Justin Herbert spent most of his college career in a shotgun formation using silent counts and claps of his hands ahead of the ball being snapped. Now, Herbert is being put an NFL offense that requires him to be vocal at the line of scrimmage.

During Tuesday’s episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks: Los Angeles, some of the growing pains were evident with Herbert going through the cadences.

There is a moment where Herbert is under center, and his snap count is soft. The next play is loud.

“Justin, so I am standing there watching you imagining what the defense could be thinking,” coach Anthony Lynn said. “I can tell the difference when it’s a run and a pass based on the way you talk.”

Herbert, the signal-caller who was touted to have a reserved personality, is slowly but surely getting caught up to the speed of the NFL and gaining confidence with the help of his coaches and teammates.

“Just listen to the rhythmic cadence of (Taylor’s snap count),” offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga said. “That first ‘Green 80.’ If he just flies through that ‘Green 80 Green Hut,’ there’s no timing there for linemen to get good jumps off the [expletive] ball. And as a quarterback you want us to get off the f—ing ball.”

While Herbert finds his groove, Tyrod Taylor will be forced to lead the offense in the meantime.