Tag: Jamaree Salyer

Chargers’ first injury report vs. Broncos, Week 18

The Los Angeles Chargers Week 18 first injury report listed two players limited.

The Chargers held their first practice ahead of their Week 18 matchup with the Broncos on Wednesday.

Here is a look at the injury report.

Note: This is estimated because the team just had a walkthrough.

Player Injury Participation
CB Bryce Callahan Groin FP
QB Justin Herbert Left shoulder FP
FB Zander Horvath Ankle LP
S Derwin James Concussion FP
LB Amen Ogbongbemiga Ankle FP
OT Trey Pipkins Knee LP
LB Troy Reeder Back FP
OT Jamaree Salyer Shoulder FP

* DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related

Chargers’ depleted offensive line outmatched in loss to Raiders

Justin Herbert did all he could.

The magic ran out on Sunday in the Chargers’ loss to the Raiders, as Justin Herbert and company could not produce any in the final minutes, like they did the week before in their victory over the Cardinals.

Herbert found little time to operate in the pocket, getting swarmed by the Raiders’ defensive front all game. He was sacked five times, hit 14 times and pressured 22 times.

“Yeah, they were getting after us today,” running back Austin Ekeler said. “We were trying to adjust, change some things up. We were able to give ourselves a chance at the end. But we knew it was going to be a battle and it was.”

L.A. was missing three starters from its offensive line, including Corey Linsley, Rashawn Slater, and Trey Pipkins, all dealing with injuries. This left Herbert vulnerable, and Las Vegas took advantage. 

“I thought they did a great job of battling,” Herbert said. “It’s never easy going up against a front seven like that. I think they’re very talented, very well coached on that side of the ball. It was a tough day for us, but those guys stepped up, battled and I really respect that from them.”

Despite the constant pressure he faced, Herbert still performed well, throwing for 335 yards and a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. However, his coaches and supporting cast failed to help him in the must-win game. 

The nightmare of a game has further complicated the Bolts’ playoff hopes, as Los Angeles is now 6-6 and has a 33.3% chance of making the postseason, down from 50.8% heading into Week 13.

Chargers vs. Broncos: 4 storylines to follow in Week 6

Here are four of the biggest storylines to monitor during the Chargers’ matchup with the Broncos.

The Chargers are back at SoFi Stadium, looking to take care of business against the Broncos and pick up their third-straight win.

Here are four storylines to watch for Monday’s matchup.

Can the Chargers cook Russ?

Coming into the season, the thought was that the AFC West would be the best division in the NFL, with Russell Wilson’s arrival in Denver being one of the reasons. However, Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos after being traded from the Seahawks hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.

Wilson ranks No. 14 in the NFL in passing yards (1,254), is tied for No. 23 in passing touchdowns (four), and ranks No. 28 in passing completion percentage (59.4%). Denver is averaging just 15 points per game, which is second-worst in the league behind the Colts.

Wilson will be looking to this matchup to be his get-right game. But the Chargers’ defense, which is a two-high safety scheme that disguises coverages, could give him fits, given that he’s not been properly making his reads. So speeding up his internal clock could lead to turnovers.

Stiffest test yet

The Broncos boast the NFL’s best passing defense, allowing just 176.6 yards per game, and they have given up only three touchdowns, which is tied for second-best.

Under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Denver plays a lot of zone coverage to force quarterbacks to throw underneath, hoping to get them to third down, where they are a headache to offenses, with a whopping 54.5% pressure rating (highest on non-blitzes).

Denver has a fearsome edge defender trio of Bradley Chubb, Baron Browning and Randy Gregory, who have combined for 52 pressures. They will be without Gregory, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, however.

Along the interior of the defensive line, Dre’Mont Jones and D.J. Reed have totaled 14 and ten pressures, respectively.

Allowing quarterbacks little time to throw has been a big part of their defensive success, but in the back end, the Broncos have Patrick Surtain II, who has emerged as one of the top cornerbacks. They will also have safety Justin Simmons back, who was activated from the injured reserve.

Justin Herbert is the least sacked quarterback (5), but that’s primarily of how efficient he’s been at evading pressure in the pocket. Jamaree Salyer will have to be on his A-game against Chubb. The same applies to Matt Feiler, who has struggled. The running backs will also be key components in pass pro.

Will the real pass rush please stand up?

If the Chargers want to rattle Russ, it all starts up front in the trenches, where getting pressure on him is imperative. Easier said than done. Since Joey Bosa has been out with a groin injury, the team has been unable to get production opposite Khalil Mack.

Chris Rumph’s lack of size and strength has shown up as he has continued to lose at the point of attack. He isn’t countering his pass-rush moves. And he’s taking unnecessarily wide angles. Like Rumph, Kyle Van Noy’s been a one-trick pony as a pass-rusher.

The Broncos will be without starting left tackle Garrett Bolles, who is out with a broken leg. Calvin Anderson is the next man up at the position. Opposite Anderson is Cameron Fleming, who has allowed 12 pressures, five hits and two sacks this season.

After weeks of facing premiere pass protectors, this would be the game for Rumph and Van Noy to finally show up.

Can J.C. Jackson find his footing?

After missing the start of the season due to a minor ankle procedure, Jackson’s play has not matched the big money he was given in March. Jackson said it’s been a shift with the defensive scheme after going from a man-heavy system to playing the most zone coverage he has ever played.

Jackson has been targeted 20 times this season while allowing 15 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. He has yet to intercept a pass and has been credited with just a single breakup.

Nonetheless, the Chargers will rely on Jackson to minimize the Broncos’ No. 1 wideout, Courtland Sutton. Sutton is tied for sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL with 417. He has six of his 29 receptions that have gone for over 20 yards.

6 notable numbers from Chargers’ victory over Browns

Here are six stats that summarize the Chargers’ win over the Browns in Week 5.

The Chargers traveled to face the Browns on Sunday, and it was a thrilling battle that came down to the wire.

Nevertheless, Los Angeles was gifted the victory as rookie kicker Cade York missed a 54-yard field goal.

Here are six numbers that tell the story of the Bolts’ win over the Browns.

Chargers vs. Browns: 5 storylines to follow in Week 5

Here are five of the biggest storylines to monitor during the Chargers’ matchup with the Browns.

The Chargers travel to Cleveland, looking to take care of business against the Browns and extend their record beyond .500.

Here are five storylines to watch for Sunday’s matchup.

Neutralizing Nick

The Browns have been one of the most efficient rushing teams in the NFL. Nick Chubb is tied for second in the league in rushing yards (459), yards per game (114.8), and touchdowns (5). Kareem Hunt hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1 but averages 4.3 yards per carry.

The Chargers allow an average of 109.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 14th in the league. However, they have allowed a carry of at least 50 yards in the last three games. Chubb has 15 explosive runs (runs over 10 yards).

Los Angeles has done a good job minimizing the run between the tackles with its offseason additions – Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, and Otito Ogbonnia. But it has allowed the damage outside the tackles, where Chubb is most dangerous.

Not having Joey Bosa, one of the team’s best run defenders, is a big deal. Therefore, it is imperative that Chris Rumph II and Kyle Van Noy set firm edges and the second and third levels of the defense take proper angles and wrap up, or else it could be a long day.

Run, baby, run

The Chargers struggled to run the ball in the first three games, resulting in the worst team in that department. However, they broke the mold last weekend against the Texans as Austin Ekeler found the end zone three times, two of which were on the ground.

Heading into this weekend, Los Angeles could be primed to have success running the ball again as the Browns’ defense falls 30th in run defense DVOA. In addition, Cleveland is tied for the third-most rushing touchdowns allowed (6). A big factor in this issue is the lack of stoutness along the defensive line.

Another trend to follow is who will get more carries. While Ekeler will lead the backfield in touches, Joshua Kelley has been the more efficient runner between him and Sony Michel but is still getting fewer snaps. Kelley averages 4.2 yards per carry, while Michel averages just 2.6 YPC.

Building off heck of a debut

After Rashawn Slater ruptured his biceps, the Chargers turned to sixth-round pick Jamaree Salyer to fill his shoes, even after it appeared Salyer was making a full-time transition to guard, having played there throughout camp and preseason.

Nevertheless, as someone who mainly played left tackle at a high level in his final two collegiate seasons at Georgia, Salyer looked at home in his regular-season debut as a pro against the Texans. He did not allow a single pressure in 41 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

While they did scheme to help him – chips from running backs and tight ends, moving pockets, and quick throws, Salyer held rushers at bay in pass protection, displaying great body control, balance, and strength in addition to sealing blocks and getting out in space in the run game.

This weekend, Salyer will draw maybe his toughest task of the year in Myles Garrett. Garrett, the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, is returning after he suffered a shoulder sprain and biceps strain in a car accident last week. He had 15 pressures and three sacks in the first three games of the season.

Donald’s debut

It looks like the Chargers will get Donald Parham back this weekend, marking his first game of the season. Parham has been out since the beginning of training camp after he injured his hamstring during one of their practices.

Parham’s last game came in Week 15 after suffering what could’ve been a career-ending injury when making a diving catch in the back of the end zone that caused him to be taken on a gurney. Before getting hurt in camp, Parham looked like one of the best players out there.

Parham finished the 2021 season with 20 catches on 27 targets for 190 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.

Having Parham on the field is huge for the offense. Not only is he a threat as a receiver with his long 6-foot-8 frame to threaten the seams and box out defenders in the red zone, but he is a difference-maker on the edge to seal blocks in the run game.

Keeping the foot on the gas

In each of the Chargers’ games, it’s been a tale of two stories. They have looked good in the first half and have struggled in the second half, as evidenced last weekend as Los Angeles allowed the Texans to cut a 20-point halftime deficit to three points in the fourth quarter.

L.A. is 31st in the NFL in opponent’s second-half points per game (18.8). However, the third quarter is when the most damage is being done. The Chargers have allowed 39 third-quarter points this season, the second-worst. Offensively, they are 25th in second-half points per game (7.8).

The Bolts have to minimize the number of times the Browns have the ball because they lead the league in average time of possession (35:38).

“We definitely need to take control when we make those adjustments in the second half, making sure that we take them to the field, making sure that we execute,” Brandon Staley said.

It looks like the Chargers have a gem in 6th-round rookie Jamaree Salyer

The Los Angeles Chargers lost star left tackle Rashawn Slater to injury, but found a gem in his rookie replacement

The bad injury luck has continued this year for the Los Angeles Chargers, and one of the biggest blows has been the loss of left tackle Rashawn Slater, perhaps for the entire season.

In the face of Slater’s injury, the Chargers turned to rookie sixth-round pick Jamaree Salyer to protect Justin Herbert’s blind side last week against the Houston Texans.

Salyer rose to the occasion in Week 4, finishing his performance as the Chargers’ highest-graded offensive player (according to Pro Football Focus), with an incredible pass blocking grade of 90.4, and giving up zero pressures against a solid edge rusher in Jerry Hughes.

Salyer also proved his worth in the run game, as well, as Austin Ekeler steamrolled the Texans for a pair of touchdowns on the ground, reinforcing Salyer’s status as a ‘bowling ball’ of a left tackle.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Spending the majority of his career in Georgia at tackle, it was clear Salyer had the pedigree to transition to the spot in a pinch, despite pro projections that preferred him as an interior blocker. He had excellent pass blocking grades in college, as well, proving to be one of the most reliable left tackles in the entire country while protecting quarterback Stetson Bennet in the Bulldogs’ high-powered offense.

Draft pundits were a bit stunned to see the Salyer fall all the way to the sixth round, given his success at a premium position for a national champion program. But Salyer has flipped the script, and given validation to those that tabbed him with a Day 2 grade.

It looks like the Chargers indeed landed a steal here, and could have some of the league’s best depth at the tackle position moving forward. The only question now is, can Salyer maintain this momentum, and continue to be a cornerstone of the Chargers’ offensive line, even when Slater returns to the lineup.

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Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 4

Taking a look at where the Chargers rank statistically compared to the rest of the NFL heading into Week 5. 

Through the first four games of the 2022 regular season, the Chargers sit with a 2-2 record.

While it may seem that they’re not meeting offseason expectations, Los Angeles dealt with significant injuries to key players on both sides of the ball.

With the cards that the Bolts have been dealt, let’s look at where they rank statistically compared to the rest of the NFL heading into Week 5.

Secret Superstars for Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season

From Geno Smith to Jamaree Salyer to Talanoa Hufanga, here are the Secret Superstars for Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season.

There are all kinds of reasons that NFL players are underrated and unsung.

Perhaps they’re in systems that don’t best show their skills. Maybe they’re buried on a depth chart. Or, they’re in somebody’s doghouse, and their coaches can’t see their potential. Or, their efforts are relatively unnoticed among their more celebrated teammates. Sometimes, young players haven’t quite put it all together, but there are enough flashes to make you sit up and take notice, and when it does work, it’s all good.

Week 4 of the 2022 regular season featured players at just about every position who showed up and showed out despite their underrated statuses, and here at Touchdown Wire, it’s our job to point them out.

Here are the Secret Superstars for Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season.

Final thoughts on Chargers’ 34-24 victory over Texans

Before shifting gears to Week 5, here are my final takeaways from the Chargers’ victory over the Texans.

The Chargers defeated the Texans on Sunday, improving to 2-2 and snapping their two-game losing streak.

Before shifting gears to Week 5, here are my final takeaways from Los Angeles’ Week 4 victory.

Former Georgia Bulldog OL wins Chargers’ game ball

Former Georgia Bulldog Jamaree Salyer stepped up in his first career start.

Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Jamaree Salyer received a game ball from head coach Brandon Staley for his Week 4 performance against the Houston Texans. Los Angeles won, 34-24, on the road.

Jamaree Salyer made his first career NFL start and helped the Chargers allow only one sack against the Texans. Additionally, Los Angeles totaled 419 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.

Salyer, a rookie out of the University of Georgia, was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Salyer started at left tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs throughout the 2020 and 2021 college football seasons. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound offensive lineman allowed only two hurries and no sacks during his final season with Georgia.

Salyer primarily practiced at offensive guard for the Chargers, but that changed after star left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn biceps in Week 3 against the Jaguars. Slater is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 NFL season.

The rookie stepped up for Los Angeles on the road, where it is tougher for offensive linemen to play well. The Chargers are 2-2.

The Houston Texans entered the contest already having 10 sacks this year. The Chargers had to protect banged up quarterback Justin Herbert, who is dealing with a ribs injury. Salyer is a big reason the Chargers were able to win.

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