Tag: Jack Hammett Sports Complex

Chargers CB J.C. Jackson continues to make strides in return from injury

One of the most encouraging takeaways as the Chargers kicked off training camp was seeing J.C. Jackson participating in team drills.

One of the most encouraging takeaways as the Chargers kicked off training camp was seeing cornerback J.C. Jackson on the field.

Jackson participated in seven-on-seven on Day 1 before sitting out of team drills Thursday. He then participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time Saturday.

Head coach Brandon Staley commented on Jackson’s road to recovery, stating that it’s all part of the ramp-up plan as he continues to work his way back from his season-ending knee injury in October.

He got a little bit more work than he did the first couple of days. As long as he keeps progressing, then that’s going to be the plan. [Director of Player Health, Wellness and Performance] Marco Zucconi and [Head Athletic Trainer] Sal [Lopez] are doing a really good job working him back into practice. He has looked strong and healthy. He’s been on top of his assignments. We’re a much better team with him out there.

Before the injury, Jackson struggled in his first season with the Bolts, as he allowed a 149.3 passer rating when targeted through five games. They hope he can return to his 2021 All-Pro form when he was with the Patriots.

That year, Jackson finished with eight interceptions (second-most) and a league-leading 23 pass deflections.

If Jackson is healthy when the regular season starts, he will start on the outside alongside Michael Davis. Ja’Sir Taylor or Asante Samuel Jr. will play in the slot, depending on the matchup, on a week-to-week basis.

QB Justin Herbert on signing record contract with Chargers: ‘I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else’

Justin Herbert sounded off the day after being made the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.

Justin Herbert playing for the Chargers was written in the stars. However, it did not include him becoming the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL and the face of the franchise for the long run.

On Tuesday, Herbert signed a massive long-term extension for five years worth $262.5 million.

“Words aren’t enough to express how thankful and how glad I am to be a part of this organization,” Herbert said at his media availability Wednesday. “I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else. This is where I’ve wanted to be for, shoot, as long as I’ve been born and playing football. It’s a dream come true.”

After the Bolts got 16 good seasons out of former QB Philip Rivers, the torch was passed to Herbert, who has been one of the best things to enter through the doors of the organization.

In three seasons, Herbert has shattered multiple records, including the most passing yards in league history (14,089) and the second-most passing touchdowns (94).

“Words are hard to find for this process,” Herbert added. “I’m still trying to process the whole thing. I feel free and just excited to go play football.”

Free, Herbert will be as he is now playing under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore’s system will cater to Herbert’s strengths with his bazooka-like arm strength and talent, allowing him to push the ball down the field more often.

“One of the things is just to make sure that we’re throwing the ball down the field and taking those shots,” Herbert said. “We have those guys on the outside that are able to make those plays. My role as a quarterback is to get them the ball and put them in a position to win.”

Chargers training camp 2022: Live updates from Day 7

Stay up to date with all the action from the seventh day of Chargers training camp.

Today marks Day 7 of Chargers training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free to the general public, but if you cannot attend, you will still be kept up to date with all the action.

We will have full coverage of training camp with live updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fans in attendance.

Future is bright for Chargers WR Josh Palmer

The Chargers are expecting big things from rookie Josh Palmer.

Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer never surpassed 500 receiving yards or five touchdown catches in his four seasons at Tennessee, but based on each of his showings at training camp, he is bound to be a lot more productive in this league.

Palmer, the team’s third round pick, has been putting on a clinic, steadily building a solid rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert, with his ability to get consistently get open at all three levels of the field and reeling in all of his targets.

Behind Keenan Allen, Palmer has been the second-best wideout up to this point. Mike Williams has been quiet. Tyron Johnson flashed early on, but he has missed the last three practices. Jalen Guyton hasn’t done anything to move the needle.

Despite the lack of production in college, his polished skill set and impressive size were tailor-made for the NFL, and it’s been on display at Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Defensive backs have struggled to make up for his precise route-running and downfield speed.

Entering camp, the battle for the third wide receiver was anyone’s game but Palmer is gradually making his mark each and everyday at camp.

Even though offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi constantly rotates his receivers in based on the defense’s personnel, it will be hard to keep Palmer off the field if he continues to perform at a high level.

With his ability to separate at all levels of the field and make things happen with the football in his hands, Palmer could quickly become one of Herbert’s go-to targets this upcoming season and beyond.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Days 3 & 4

Some footage from Chargers training camp on Friday and Saturday.

The Chargers continued training camp on Friday and Saturday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free if you are able to snag some tickets here, but if you’re unable to attend, you will still be informed of all the action throughout the course of it.

I will have coverage of training camp with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members in attendance along with fan posts.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 2

Some footage from Day 2 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Thursday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free if you are able to snag some tickets here, but if you’re unable to attend, you will still be informed of all the action throughout the course of it.

I will have coverage of training camp with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members in attendance along with fan posts.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 1

Some footage from Day 1 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers started training camp on Wednesday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free if you are able to snag some tickets here, but if you’re unable to attend, you will still be informed of all the action throughout the course of it.

I will have coverage of training camp with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members in attendance along with fan posts.

Opportunities arise for Chargers RBs Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III

The battle in the backfield is anyone’s game.

The battle in the backfield will be one of the most heated competitions for the Chargers during training camp. However, it will feature one less member to begin with.

Running back Justin Jackson was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, which means that it opens up opportunities for others competing for the backup spot to Austin Ekeler.

Jackson was already on the bubble due to his inability to stay healthy on a consistent basis, but him being out to start camp does not help his case to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III and Darius Bradwell are the others fighting for the spot.

There was plenty of hype surrounding running back Kelley, last year’s fourth-round pick, heading into the 2020 regular season after he was one of the training camp standouts.

Unfortunately, Kelley was unable to live up to the summer hype after his confidence deteriorated, following fumbles in back-to-back games early on, which then negatively impacted his special teams performance.

There’s no denying Kelley’s skillset and work ethic to produce in this league. He has the power to run through defenders, good change-of-direction, vision, burst, adequate speed and passing game ability.

However, in front of a new coaching staff, Kelley must show an improvement from last year on the ground and on special teams to be counted on as the second back.

Rountree, the sixth-round selection, may enter camp with the advantage over Kelley because he is one of the players the coaching staff drafted, which is an important factor in the roster-evaluation process.

Rountree is a well-built and productive back who is an explosive runner with good feet, contact balance and second-level vision, as well as passing game impact to be counted on to take some of the load off of Ekeler.

Bradwell, a former undrafted free agent, was one of former head coach Anthony Lynn’s guys. With very little experience and not as much buzz as Kelley and Rountree, his uphill climb may be a bit steeper.

If that’s the case, Los Angeles could anticipate entering the season with Ekeler, Kelley and Rountree. But the team may elect to bring in a current free agent like Todd Gurley, Duke Johnson, T.J. Yeldon, among others.

Only time will tell who emerges as the No. 2 RB, but it’s anyone’s game at the moment.

3 under-the-radar Chargers to watch at training camp

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three players who are worthy of your attention that aren’t getting enough love.

Training camp is officially underway.

The majority of the talks have been of the big-name players. But there are some members that aren’t getting enough attention that should, as they could carve up a role on the team when all is said and done.

Here are three under-the-radar Chargers to keep an eye on at training camp:

S Alohi Gilman

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers drafted Gilman in the sixth-round of this year’s draft. He led an Irish defense that finished No. 5 nationally in pass efficiency and No. 8 in yards per play allowed in 2019.

Los Angeles lost a few key special teamers this offseason, including Adrian Phillips and Derek Watt. Gilman should step in as a special teams ace, but he could carve up a larger role than just that.

With Phillips gone to the Patriots, Gilman will be in contention not only for the backup strong safety spot to Derwin James, but for the team’s dimebacker – the sixth defensive back in dime packages.

Gilman plays with the read-react skills, toughness and swagger required to thrive at the position. His play has been highly praised by coach Anthony Lynn and general manager Tom Telesco.

“He’s super smart, tough and he hits,” Telesco said. “Those are some traits that are good to have in the secondary. We think between safety and some special teams, he has a real chance here.”

If the former Notre Dame product shows out in camp, expect to see him on the field in his rookie season.

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