Tag: chargers news

Look: Chargers QB Justin Herbert sporting new hairdo

This is the first time that Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has cut his hair since 2017 or 2018.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had the Hollywood look with his flowing hair. But that is now a thing of the past.

Herbert, who fielded questions from media on Wednesday, showed up with his new hairdo, which is buzz cut that’s similar to the one he sported when he first arrived to the University of Oregon.

Herbert said that strength and conditioning coach John Lott was the one responsible for cutting his hair.

“He said he was good with the clippers,” Herbert said. “I think he did a good job.”

Herbert added that the last time he got a haircut was back in 2017 or 2018, which would have marked his sophomore or junior season of college.

Take a look at the new-looking Herbert:

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler hints he’s nearing return from injury

The Los Angeles Chargers could be getting a key piece of their offense back in the coming weeks.

The Chargers have been without running back Austin Ekeler, a vital piece to their offense, since Week 4 after he suffered a hyperextended knee and hamstring injury which forced him to be placed on the injured reserve.

However, Los Angeles might not be without him for much longer.

Ekeler went to his personal Twitter account to post a video of him running at practice and said “to all my fantasy owners who didn’t drop me…the time draws near.”

Prior to that, Ekeler hinted on his personal Twitch account that he had his eyes set on a Week 13 return against the Patriots.

Since Ekeler has been out, L.A. has been rolling with a committee backfield, which has consisted of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Troymaine Pope and Kalen Ballage.

That’s how it’ll be again, at least for this upcoming Sunday against the Dolphins. When Ekeler comes back, he will resume his duties as the No. 1 running back, supplying the team with a threat on the ground and through the air.

4 adjustments Chargers need to make for rest of 2020 season

The Los Angeles Chargers need to improve in these areas the rest of the way out.

If the Chargers want to get back to their winning ways, the team needs to make some adjustments coming off their bye week.

Here are four changes needed to be made in order for success:

Take the training wheels off

Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert has been the main reason why the team has been able to be competitive in all of their games, despite not having a win in his four starts.

With big leads, Los Angeles would take a conservative approach by running the football more on early downs in the second half, making it more difficult for Herbert to capitalize consistently due to being put in second/third-and-long situations.

The reason for that is because of the lackluster offensive line play. Sure, letting him to throw often behind a shaky offensive line was concerning, but that’s when more efficient play-calling comes in to mask the deficiencies.

Utilize more quick and screen passes, run-pass options and play-action with moving pockets. L.A., who is a top-10 in passing offense, does more of this, and they will likely have more wins moving forward.

More efficient offensive line play

Herbert has proven himself when under pressure, completing 73.5% of his passes when under duress. However, that’s not a valid reason to not have competent offensive line play, which the Chargers have not.

Los Angeles was hopeful that guard Trai Turner and tackle Bryan Bulaga would aide in that area, but the two have only managed to play one drive together due to their perspective injuries.

Turner, who missed the past three games and Bulaga, who’s been inactive the past two contests, hope to be back to the action this upcoming week against the Jaguars.

Nonetheless, the offensive line needs to start shaping up, both in pass protection and the run blocking department.

Pass rush needs to be more consistent

One of the reasons for the Chargers watching their opponents endure on second half comebacks is because of the lack of pressure when it mattered the most.

Not having edge defender Melvin Ingram and defensive tackle Justin Jones played a role in that, but players aside from edge defenders Joey Bosa and Uchenna Nwosu struggled to step up in crucial moments.

Both Ingram and Jones were designated to return from the injured reserve Monday, so their presences will help upon returning. But the unit needs to get to the quarterback more consistently, even if that means utilizing more blitzes if they wish to close out games.

Simplify coverages, stay aggressive

To add on to the second half meltdowns, the back end of the defense and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley were to blame, as well.

Bradley is notorious for his Cover 3 scheme, which, in reality, is to limit explosive plays in the passing games.

The loss to the Saints is a great example, where they incorporated three defensive linemen, six defensive backs and two linebackers rather than resorting to their go-to dime package.

The result? A long touchdown to tight end Jared Cook on third-down. Blown coverage? Yes. But that’s also what happens when you sway away from what’s working.

Los Angeles’ defense has given up an average of 341 passing yards the past two games. That can’t happen moving forward. Coverages need to be simplified and defensive players need to stay true to their assignments.

Not having reinforcements like Drue Tranquill, Derwin James and Chris Harris Jr. hurt. But they still have enough talent in that group for there to be no excuses, and fortunately, they should be getting a healthy Harris back soon.

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray strings together strong performance vs. Buccaneers

The Los Angeles Chargers have their middle linebacker of the future.

The Chargers’ defense on Sunday was underwhelming to say the least, as they surrendered 38 points to quarterback Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.

Despite the outcome, there was a bright spot for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s unit, with that being rookie linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Murray was stout against the run, amassing 10 tackles on the afternoon. Along with that, he held his own in coverage, only allowing less than 25 yards on five targets.

Murray, the team’s first-round pick, has been a refreshing addition to the linebacker group and defense as a whole. He has embraced his role as the MIKE linebacker and has done a fine job picking up the slack in the absence of Drue Tranquill.

Through four games, Murray has 33 tackles while playing 97% of the defensive snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, he is third-best rookie linebacker.

He isn’t perfect by any means, as he still has overaggressive tendencies which can lead to him not making heads up tackles and over-pursue shifty running backs. But the flashes are legit and Murray will only get better with more reps.

USC Trojans football

Report: Chargers doctor punctured Tyrod Taylor’s lung with pain-killing injection

Tyrod Taylor was a late scratch, leading to Justin Herbert starting at QB against the Chiefs.

Tyrod Taylor was a late scratch from Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, unexpectedly thrusting rookie Justin Herbert into the starting lineup. It was reported that Taylor suffered a chest injury after warmups and had to be taken to the hospital, making the situation even more mysterious.

It turns out the Chargers’ team doctor was actually the reason for Taylor’s absence in Week 2, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter reported Wednesday that the Chargers’ doctor accidentally punctured Taylor’s lung while attempting to administer a pain-killing injection for the cracked ribs.

Taylor’s status for Week 3 remains unclear, but this explains why Herbert started against the Chiefs.

Coach Anthony Lynn has maintained that Taylor will be the team’s starting quarterback as long as he’s healthy, it’s just not known when that will be. Taylor started Week 1 against the Bengals, throwing for 208 yards with a passer rating of 75.4 in the Chargers’ win.

In Herbert’s first career start, the rookie threw for 311 yards with a touchdown and interception.

LB Kenneth Murray taking on role as Chargers’ field general

The Los Angeles Chargers are leaning on their first-round pick to call the defensive plays.

The quarterbacks are the ones on offense who relay the plays and makes adjustments. But those responsibilities belong to someone on the defensive side of the ball, too.

For the most part, they are given to a veteran. But in this instance, for the Chargers, they fall on rookie linebacker Kenneth Murray’s shoulders.

Murray posted a picture of his helmet on Instagram, which had a green dot on top of the crown. That green dot indicates that he will have a radio in his helmet to receive the play calls from the defensive coaches.

It’s common for middle linebackers to have the green dot, which indicates that Murray is due to get the start at the position this Sunday against the Bengals.

This isn’t a new sight for Murray, though. The team’s first-round pick made the calls and checks all three years at Oklahoma, showing the ability to quickly process a playbook at a young age.

Los Angeles praised Murray for his high football IQ after they selected him with the No. 23 overall, hinting that he could be given the play-call responsibilities. Now, it’s official.

Murray, the new man in the middle of the defense, will share the field with Denzel Perryman, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White.

We will have a better feel for the playing time and alignment for each player as the game rolls on Sunday.

4 Bengals the Chargers need to game plan for in Week 1

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out the four players on the Bengals that the Chargers must be prepared for.

The Chargers are traveling to take on the Bengals this Sunday for the 2020 season opener.

Cincinnati is coming off a year that resulted in finishing with the worst record in the NFL. But after a handful of additions, they’re eager to turn things around.

With that being said, there are a few notable players that Los Angeles will really have to make sure they’re game planned for in order to come out victorious.

Here are four players on the Bengals that the Bolts should hone in on:

RB Joe Mixon

On the offensive side of the ball, all eyes will be on rookie Joe Burrow, who takes over under center. But like any first-year player, Burrow will likely experience some rough patches. That is why he will have a security blanket, with that being Mixon.

Mixon rushed for 1,136 yards and five touchdowns last season, his second straight season with more than 1,000 rushing yards. He is one of four running backs in the NFL with at least 1,400 yards from scrimmage in each of the past two seasons.

Last season, the Chargers allowed 112.8 yards per game, which ranked No. 18 in the league. The team added some players this offseason, which include Linval Joseph, Kenneth Murray and Chris Harris Jr. to aide in the department, but they will be without star safety Derwin James.

Look for Cincinnati to use Mixon to test Los Angeles’ front seven early and often.

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Chargers’ Nasir Adderley set up for strong sophomore season

Chargers safety Nasir Adderley is looking to make an impact in Year 2.

The Chargers are maneuvering some of the pieces in their secondary after the big loss of Derwin James, who is expected to be out for the entire 2020 season due to a torn meniscus.

One of the most reasonable options is sliding Rayshawn Jenkins from the free safety position to strong safety, and letting second-year Nasir Adderley play the single-high role.

Prior to James’ injury, Adderley had been practicing at multiple spots. But now, the former Delaware product could be set up to start at the position that he was originally drafted to play.

Adderley, who missed the majority of his rookie season with a hamstring injury, is now healthy and is practicing with the same energy that he brought to the preseason finale last year where he posted three passes defensed and an interception.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said that Adderley has caught the coaching staff’s attention, and mentioned he’s taken a big step from this time last year to now.

The team is looking at all options on how their secondary will shape up without their star safety. But it appears that Adderley will be involved one way or another, and he could be due for a impactful season in Year 2, if he stays healthy.

Chargers S Derwin James out 6-8 months with knee injury

James injured his knee in practice Sunday.

Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Chargers, star safety Derwin James will once again be sidelined for an extended period of time. According to multiple reports, James needs knee surgery and will be out for 6-8 months.

James suffered the injury in practice on Sunday, which will require surgery to repair his meniscus.

This is the second year in a row James has injured his knee and missed significant time. Last season, he played just five games after a rookie year in which he made the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro.

In two seasons (21 games), he has 139 tackles, three interceptions, 3.5 sacks and 14 passes defensed.

Look: Chargers QB Justin Herbert takes field for first time

The Los Angeles Chargers’ first-round pick is ready to get to work.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is all set and ready to go after signing his rookie contract on Sunday.

Herbert and the rest of the rookies reported for training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA on Monday.

The social media crew was there to capture the first-year players in action, sporting Los Angeles’ new practice uniforms.

Herbert, along with the rest of the rookies, will take the field with the veterans on Tuesday as they are slated to report.

Herbert, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, will be entering camp in a competition for the starting job with Tyrod Taylor.