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Training camp has only been underway for a week, but these Chargers are standing out in the early going.
The Chargers are still a week into their training camp program in Costa Mesa, CA. It’s important to remember that when talking about player stock with plenty of time left in the offseason, plus three preseason games.
That being said, there are some standouts for Los Angeles in the early going.
After a full week of training camp, here is an update on Chargers players fighting for a roster spot.
While highlight reels from superstar players tend to grab the headlines during NFL training camps, there are upwards of 40 players on every team fighting for their professional survival.
The Chargers are no exception, with a handful of final roster spots available for the taking.
Here are the ones making an impression.
Chargers WR John Hightower had another banner day at training camp on Monday.
Chargers wide receiver John Hightower had another banner day at training camp on Monday. Hightower recorded two touchdowns in seven-on-seven drills and added another score late in practice as the team worked in 11-on-11s.
For the past week, the former Eagle and Boise State product has been one of the top producers in camp to this point. Hightower also got quite the attention and shine while working with Justin Herbert.
Herbert with the long TD to John Hightower! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ge4v9OPnWy
— Jason Delgado (@JasonDelgado78) July 26, 2023
Now it’s worth pointing out that early training camp stock ups and downs should be taken with a grain of salt. The first week may not have any impact on how the rest of the process plays out. But Hightower’s performance to this point is noteworthy considering the absence of Jalen Guyton. Guyton was placed on the PUP list along with Otito Ogbonnia and Austin Johnson prior to the first day of practice.
As far as the Chargers’ wide receivers currently behind Guyton, Hightower has the skill set that is the most comparable. He ran a 4.43 at his NFL combine and has shown his ability to get behind defenders in the pros.
John Hightower and Greg Ward plays get Eagles within 5
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 23, 2020
How Guyton’s recovery tracks could go a long way into whether or not Hightower has a chance to see the field. If Guyton were to remain on the PUP list going into the season, he’d have to miss the Chargers’ first four games going into the BYE week. While we’re not sure of his condition and recovery quite yet, it’s possible that giving the former North Texas star some extra rest could be under consideration with the early BYE.
The Chargers’ first five receivers are set with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, and returner Derius Davis. If Guyton does return early enough in camp, his institutional knowledge and connection with Herbert should lock down his roster spot. But Hightower’s initial performance in early training camp could prove critical if Guyton needs more time in his recovery.
With the 2023 NFL offseason almost complete and training camps looming we’re breaking down the Philadelphia Eagles’ $54 million in dead cap space
The NFL’s June 1 date is just 24 hours away, and with that you can expect some trades, shocking releases and team salary caps impacted by dead money going on or off the books.
So what is dead cap?
Any future, unpaid, guaranteed salary or bonus or any already paid signing bonus that hasn’t yet been allocated to the salary cap becomes the responsibility of the team in the event of a release.
The salary cap will increase to $224.8 million for the 2023 season.
For some teams, the slight increase in cap space provides a little breathing room to retain players on expiring deals or acquire talent that could help them succeed in the upcoming season.
With OTAs underway, we’re breaking down the Eagles $54 million in dead cap space, fourth among all NFL teams.
With the 2023 NFL offseason underway and the new league year fast approaching, we’re breaking down the Philadelphia Eagles’ $46 million in dead cap space
The NFL offseason is set to officially get underway on March 15, as Philadelphia has 18 players who will hit the open market and one ERFA who’ll be looking to return in some compacity.
Miles Sanders had a Pro Bowl season but could find big money elsewhere, while decisions will need to be made about 8 key contributors on defense.
Players like James Bradberry, Kyzir White, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Javon Hargrave will look for big paydays.
Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire took a look at the teams that owe the most to least dead money ahead of free agency and Philadelphia heads the list, while the Chiefs owe the list according to salary cap figures via Over The Cap.
The Chargers signed 12 players to reserve/future contracts. All 11 spent all or part of the season on the practice squad.
With the 2022 season over, the Chargers have signed 12 players to future contracts.
OL Zack Bailey
WR Keelan Doss
WR John Hightower
WR Michael Jacquet
TE Hunter Kampmoyer
EDGE Carlo Kemp
CB Tyreek Maddox-Williams
DL David Moa
OL Austen Pleasants
RB Larry Rountree
DL Ty Shelby
S Mark Webb
All 12 players spent time on either the team’s practice squad or active roster in 2022.
The players will be added to the 90-man active roster when the 2023 offseason officially begins.
Lions rookie safety Kerby Joseph picks off Aaron Rodgers for the 3rd time this season
Lions rookie safety Kerby Joseph just has a thing for picking off Aaron Rodgers.
Joseph, the Lions’ third-round pick from Illinois, did what no other player has ever done before. He recorded three interceptions off Rodgers in the same season.
After picking off two passes in Detroit’s 15-9 win over Green Bay in Week 9, Joseph wasn’t done. He ranged to the right side of the field and snagged another Rodgers throw in the Week 18 meeting in the home of the Packers.
This one came on third down late in the game with the Lions leading 20-16. Joseph ends the threat with a beautiful, historic interception:
.@JKERB25 keeps making plays!#DETvsGB 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/wZ4FsM1HTA
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2023
The Chargers’ wide receiver room is thin heading into Week 9.
The bye week was a good time for Chargers players to rest and recover, especially the ones who had injuries.
However, that was not the case for Keenan Allen.
Allen said his hamstring worsened during the bye week when training.
He did not practice Monday or Wednesday, and it’s possible he will miss Sunday’s game against the Falcons, according to Brandon Staley.
After missing five games following the season opener, Allen returned to the lineup in the Week 7 loss against the Seahawks. He only played in the first half.
Allen said he felt great going into Week 7, but not 100%.
Nothing happened in the game,” Allen said on the injury setback. “Taking my time with it and just going through it how we planned it and just through the bye week, kind of hit it again.
“I don’t think it was a restrain or anything. It is just some more scar tissue that is trying to break off and whenever it is ready to heal, just got to let it do its own thing.”
If Allen does not play, the Chargers could be without their top three receivers. Mike Williams is out for weeks with a high ankle sprain. Joshua Palmer is out of concussion protocol, but Staley did not say if he will play.
That would leave DeAndre Carter, Michael Bandy and Jason Moore as the active receivers. Joe Reed or John Hightower would likely be promoted from the practice squad.
The Chargers will be without two of their top players.
Rashawn Slater and Joey Bosa are officially out for at least four weeks.
On Wednesday, the team announced that Slater (biceps) and Bosa (groin) have been placed on injured reserve, rendering them inactive until at least Week 9 against Atlanta. (Technically, both players would be eligible to return in Week 8, but that is Los Angeles’ bye week.)
Slater, who ruptured his biceps tendon against Jacksonville on Sunday, is not expected to return this season. If he does, it would likely be for a playoff push. On the other hand, Bosa is dealing with a groin strain that Brandon Staley called “week-to-week” as recently as Tuesday. That he was placed on IR is likely an indication of a more severe strain, typically with a 4-6 week recovery time. That makes this week a relatively ideal time to put Bosa on IR since the addition of the bye week will give him five weeks to recover from surgery.
To fill out the rest of the roster, LA signed wide receiver Jason Moore Jr. and tight end Richard Rodgers to the active roster. Both players were previously on the practice squad. Rodgers had already used his maximum three practice squad elevations in the first three weeks of the season while filling in for the injured Donald Parham Jr., while Moore was called up only in Week 2 against the Chiefs.
These are probably not surprising moves, as Moore and Rodgers are two of the only three players LA has used elevations on all season. (The other is cornerback and special teamer Kemon Hall.) Moore seems to favor Michael Bandy and Joe Reed from special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken, who will need someone to replace Jalen Guyton on punt coverage after the receiver tore his ACL against Jacksonville. On offense, I’d still expect Guyton’s role to be filled by John Hightower, who was signed to the practice squad.
Rodgers signing to the active roster is a bit peculiar considering he only played five total snaps against Jacksonville and has to contend with the impending return of Parham from his offseason hamstring injury. However, LA has historically liked to carry four tight ends on the active roster, which could potentially signal more H-back style work for Tre’ McKitty, who has previously filled that role. Rodgers is yet another veteran with experience as a playoff winner, and that’s been a point of emphasis for the Chargers this offseason, so maybe that’s a factor as well.
Los Angles still has one open spot on the practice squad following Wednesday’s moves.
The Chargers added a speedy wide receiver.
The Chargers signed wide receiver John Hightower to the practice squad on Wednesday.
As Jalen Guyton’s season has ended due to a torn ACL that he suffered in the Week 3 loss to the Jaguars, Los Angeles had the need for speed, which it filled with Hightower.
Hightower was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. He played two seasons for Philadelphia before being released in August. Hightower posted ten receptions for 167 yards in 13 games during his rookie season.
Hightower had 51 catches for 943 yards and eight touchdowns during his final season at Boise State. Hightower was also an excellent kick returner – finishing with 840 return yards and a touchdown on 36 attempts (23.3 YPR).
Here is what I said about Hightower coming out of college:
While at Hinds Community College in Mississippi, he competed and earned sixth-place in the 400-meter hurdle and in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) outdoor nationals in 2016. On the football field, the track speed is evident, as he hits top speed quickly to blow past press coverage. He shows a nice feel for finding openings in zone coverage. He has great hands with limited drops and the ability to track the deep ball naturally. Often used on screens and sweep plays, Hightower is a threat to break off for a huge play whenever the ball is in his hands.
