Ryan Smith

Chargers injury updates ahead of Week 5 vs. Browns

The Chargers should be getting two players back this weekend.

After finishing the final practice of the week before taking on the Browns this weekend, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley provided an update on a few players that either dealt or are dealing with an injury.

Even though he is listed as questionable on the final injury report, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (shoulder) is expected to play on Sunday, according to head coach Brandon Staley.

“Barring any setback, I think he should play. He’s practiced pretty well this week and is feeling pretty good.”

Staying in the secondary, cornerback and special teams ace Ryan Smith is expected to make his 2021 season debut this weekend. Signed this past offseason, Smith should aid the coverage units.

The only player that will not likely see the action is running back Justin Jackson, who is doubtful with a groin injury. Therefore, Joshua Kelley would be in a position to make his season debut.

Chargers waive DL Eric Banks, open spot on 53-man roster

The Chargers made a roster move on Thursday.

The Chargers waived defensive lineman Eric Banks on Thursday.

Signed before the start of the 2021 season, Banks appeared in three games, in which he recorded one tackle.

The move opened up a spot on the 53-man roster ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Raiders.

Los Angeles has a couple of options to replace his roster spot, which includes activating cornerback Ryan Smith, who spent the last three weeks on the injured reserve with a foot injury.

Smith returned to practice on Thursday, and the team now has 21 days to either activate him or leave him on the IR for the remainder of the season.

L.A. could also choose to promote one of Breiden Fehoko or Forrest Merrill from the practice squad to the active roster in hopes of aiding a porous run defense that currently ranks last in the NFL.

Chargers make roster moves ahead of Week 1

The Chargers made some changes in the secondary.

Chargers cornerback Ryan Smith being on the 53-man roster was short-lived.

After being activated from the COVID-19 reserve list this past Friday, Smith was placed on the injured reserve three days later.

In correspondence, defensive back Kemon Hall, who was waived in favor of Smith then, was re-signed Monday.

Smith spent nearly the entire training camp and preseason sidelined with a core muscle injury. Now, the special teams standout will miss at least the first three games of the season.

Hall, on the other hand, was originally a part of the initial 53-man roster after a strong summer. He was praised by the coaches for his versatility and special teams ability.

Chargers activate CB Ryan Smith, waive DB Kemon Hall

Ryan Smith should provide a special teams boost.

The Los Angeles Chargers have activated cornerback Ryan Smith from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Friday. In correspondence, defensive back Kemon Hall was waived.

Signed earlier this offseason, Smith spent nearly all of the summer on the sideline nursing a core muscle injury. Despite the injury, the team always viewed him as a lock to make the 53-man roster because of his talent on special teams.

In 73 games with the Buccaneers, Smith posted 117 tackles, an interception, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. In 2019, he led Tampa Bay with a team-high seven stops on special teams.

Hall, who is coming off a strong training camp and preseason, is a candidate to fill out the practice squad if he clears waivers. He was praised by the coaches for his versatility and special teams ability.

Wild weekend in Utah: An albatross, Tony Romo makes the cut, a female golfer makes history

An eventful weekend saw an albatross as well as an NFL announcer and a women’s college golfer make the cut.

Golf tournaments often have multiple interesting story lines.

The just-concluded Utah Open says “Hold my beer.”

Let’s start with the winner, Derek Fribbs.

The former Colorado Buffalo won the event at 23 under, three shots clear of T.K. Kim. Fribbs shot 66-63-64 in the 54-hole event, with the highlight of his weekend being his Sunday albatross.

From 215 yards out on the par-5 15th hole at Riverside Country Club in Provo, Fribbs ripped a 7-iron and holed it out for a 2. He told the Deseret News he “didn’t believe it until I officially went and got it out of the hole.”

If the name Derek Fribbs sounds familiar, perhaps it’s because you recall this wild story from June, in which a golfer was arrested after a fight broke out during the middle of a qualifier in Kansas on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Fribbs was more than a witness. He actually tried to break up the fight. The father of the fight’s instigator then began to use a putter to keep Fribbs from breaking up the fight.

When it came up during his post-round interview, Fribbs told the Deseret News: “At least I am the good guy in the story. I wasn’t beat up or arrested.”

Fribbs then hopped in a car, $20,000 richer after his win, and drove back to Colorado Sunday night with plans to catch a flight to Dallas for his next outing, a Korn Ferry Tour pre-qualifying tournament near Dallas.

Oh, and Fribbs turned 31 on Monday. Happy birthday, Derek.

But wait. There’s more to this Utah Open.

Tony Romo, the big-money NFL analyst for CBS, was in the tournament as well. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who makes $17 million a year for his TV gig, opened with a 68, made the cut and tied for 42nd. Due to his amateur status, Romo could only accept $180 in merchandise credit to be used in the pro shop, according to the Deseret News. No word on what he splurged on.

There was a bit of history made at the tournament, too.

Brigham Young University golfer Kerstin Fotu, a 22-year-old junior-to-be, became the first woman to make the cut. And before you ask, yes, she was playing the same tees as everyone else on the 7,142-yard course. Fotu closed with her round Friday with three straight pars to make the cut on the number, beating close to 90 others in the process. She closed with a 76 on Sunday to finish 59th.

Among those to miss the cut was Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, who posted not-too-shabby scores of 74-77. Smith calls Riverside Country Club his home course. The 42-year-old bought the Jazz in December.

Projecting the Chargers’ cornerback depth chart in 2021

Identifying the cornerbacks that the Chargers will start the 2021 season with on the 53-man roster.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been breaking down the depth chart at each position for the Chargers.

Wide Receiver

Edge Defender

Interior Defensive Line

Linebacker

Next up, I project what the cornerback room will look like heading into the 2021 season.

Michael Davis

After originally signing with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Davis steadily developed into a quality starter, with 2020 marking his best as a professional. He slowed some of the league’s top receivers and made a few big plays in critical situations en route to logging 64 tackles, 14 passes defensed and three interceptions, all of which were personal bests. Heading into the upcoming season, his versatility in coverage, length and athleticism make him a good fit near the boundary in head coach Brandon Staley’s defense. Only 26 years of age, Davis’ best football is still ahead of him

Chris Harris Jr.

Signed last offseason, Harris Jr. wasn’t as promising as prior years due to an injury that forced him to miss seven games and playing in a system that didn’t favor his skillset, only totaling 37 tackles, two passes defensed and an interception. In Staley’s defense, Harris will have more man coverage responsibilities, which is what he’s more comfortable with as opposed to heavy dosages of zone with former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley last season. He will be tasked with playing his natural position inside the slot on the outside and dimebacker.

Asante Samuel Jr.

Selected in the second round of this year’s draft, Samuel Jr. fell due to size concerns, but that never held him back at Florida State as he stymied top receivers on a weekly basis, where he posted 97 tackles, 29 passes defensed and four interceptions over 31 games. Now in the best situation possible playing for Staley, the coaching coupled with his natural talent could take his game to the next level. His quickness, instincts and ball skills should translate very well in this league. Like how Staley used Troy Hill with the Rams, Samuel Jr. will be in a similar situation, playing inside and outside.

Brandon Facyson

Relegated to a reserve player since entering the league in 2018, Facyson was re-signed earlier this offseason because the new coaching staff liked what they saw from a small sample size and felt like he has the traits they covet at the position. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, Facyson has excellent size and length and experience in a variety of techniques and coverage. While he hasn’t put it all together on the field, he has potential and it’s easy to believe that the coaches could help him unlock it.

Signed earlier this offseason after spending the past five seasons with the Buccaneers, Smith was brought in to aide in the special teams department, where he will aide in the coverage units. Last season, Smith appeared in all 16 regular-season games for the Buccaneers and played 78 percent of the special teams snaps (360). He also played at least 73 percent of the special teams snaps in each of the team’s four postseason games. In 2019, he led the team with a team-high seven stops on special teams.

2021 expectations for Chargers’ newest free agent signings

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out the roles that the free agents from this offseason will have in 2021.

In part of the roster reconstruction, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco didn’t shy away from adding a few earlier this offseason.

With that in mind, here is what fans can expect from each of Telesco’s acquisitions heading into the upcoming season:

C Corey Linsley

The acquisition of Linsley fills the void at center in a big way, as he is a former All-Pro player and perhaps the best center in football. Linsley will help both in the passing game, especially with stunts up the middle, and the running game, as well as aid quarterback Justin Herbert in his pre-snap assessments and protection adjustments. A proven veteran like Linsley is a massive upgrade to the offensive line.

G Matt Feiler

After acquiring Linsley, the Chargers picked up Feiler to serve as the starting left guard, despite having experience at both tackle and guard. His primary position from Day 1 will be along the interior, but if an injury occurred to Bryan Bulaga, Feiler is capable of playing right tackle. He will be a key piece in both the passing and running game. In 1,499 pass-blocking snaps, Feiler only blew 31. In 903 run-blocking snaps, he only blew eight, per Sports Info Solutions.

G Oday Aboushi

The Chargers failed to get consistency at the right guard position from Trai Turner last season. The team released Turner and went out and signed Aboushi in correspondence. Aboushi was a great value signing at one year, $1.6 million. He will have some competition in fifth-round Brenden Jaimes this summer, but given the fact that he is coming off his best season yet as a pro with the Lions, Aboushi should lock up the starting spot. Aboushi gives the team a physical blocker in both departments as well as a gritty presence in the room.

TE Jared Cook

With Hunter Henry signing with the Patriots, the Chargers needed to acquire a starting tight end. Cook was that guy. More experienced as a receiver than a blocker, Cook will provide a big frame in the middle of the field and down the seam for quarterback Justin Herbert. Cook is familiar with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and the scheme he will try to run, so it will help in the learning curve.

CB Ryan Smith

While he has experience as a starter in the secondary, Smith’s money with the Chargers will be made on special teams, where he will aide in the coverage units. Last season, Smith appeared in all 16 regular-season games for the Buccaneers and played 78 percent of the special teams snaps (360). He also played at least 73 percent of the special teams snaps in each of the team’s four postseason games.

EDGE Kyler Fackrell

The Chargers entered the offseason with a need at the position knowing that the depth was thin, with the only other players they had were Joey Bosa, Uchenna Nwosu and Jesse Lemonier. With Bosa and Nwosu slated to start, Fackrell will come in as rotational pass-rusher, with the majority of his work coming on special teams, having played over 1,000 special teams snaps in his career.

DT Christian Covington

The Chargers did not address the position in the draft, despite it being a group that needed additional depth. To fulfill it, the team signed Covington. Covington possesses versatility up front as he has experience playing anywhere from nose tackle to outside of the tackles. Similar to Damion Square, Covington will likely back up Jerry Tillery and Justin Jones. He is a guy who is capable of disrupting the backfield due to his great lateral quickness and burst to jump off the snap as well as length and strength to take on double teams.