Chargers RT Storm Norton to start vs. Chiefs despite Week 2 struggles

The Chargers are not making any changes.

Right tackle Storm Norton will remain atop of the Chargers depth chart entering Week 3 despite his struggles against the Cowboys.

Norton is slated to start this Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, according to head coach Brandon Staley.

After being handed the keys in place of Bryan Bulaga, who is currently on the injured reserve, Norton could not his find his groove the entire game, particularly in pass protection.

Norton allowed nine of the team’s 18 pressures, the majority of which came against rookie Micah Parsons. This comes after performing well in the season opener against Washington.

“I felt like he competed in the game,” Brandon Staley said about Norton’s performance. “There was some times out there where he was going against Micah Parsons, who’s a good player. And he had some that I felt like he can learn from for sure. But I felt like he gave us a chance in the game.”

Staley said Bulaga’s absence is not considered long term. He is eligible to return in two weeks, but it’s not fully guaranteed he will be healthy to return to the action at that point.

Report: Chargers signing OT Storm Norton

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing Pro Football Focus’ highest graded XFL offensive lineman.

The Chargers continue to add more pieces to an offensive line that’s under construction.

According to WTOL 11’s Jordan Strack, Los Angeles is signing former XFL offensive tackle Storm Norton.

This marks the second former XFL player that the Chargers have signed this offseason, with the first being tight end Donald Parham.

Norton was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Wildcats in the XFL’s offensive line draft. The 25-year-old finished as Pro Football Focus’ highest graded XFL offensive lineman.

Prior to his XFL playing days, Norton went undrafted out of Toledo in 2017. In college, he earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2015 and 2016.

He’s spent time with the Lions, Cardinals, and Vikings.

Norton, the 6-foot-8 and 306 pounder is a towering human being. With how tall he is, he struggles with pad level, but he has an understanding of angles and possesses the length and physical hands to win reps against defenders.

He also has the athleticism and movement skills to get out to the second level with ease in order to secure linebackers.

For the Chargers, he projects as a swing tackle that has the skillset and experience to push for starting reps.