Somewhere amid it all ? the injury to guard D.J. Fluker, who was on crutches after Monday's practice, his right foot in a protective boot; the Chargers? proposal Tuesday evening of what they called their ?best offer? to Joey Bosa?s agent and the agent?s rejection of it; the two sides' statements Wednesday, separated by the NFL announcing in the hours between that defensive lineman Damion Square was suspended four games for violating the NFL?s substance-abuse policy ? it was easy to forget.
Oh, yeah.
That?s right.
The Chargers have a game Sunday.
Indeed, the team flew Saturday morning to Minneapolis for a 10 a.m. PT kickoff against the Vikings. Coaches and players, of course, didn't lose sight of the exhibition. Too much for too many is on the line.
The third exhibition game is an annual regular-season dress rehearsal, one in which many Chargers starters, including quarterback Philip Rivers, will see more playing time Sunday than the rest of the preseason combined.
Rivers will hope to connect with Travis Benjamin at least once; this marks the first live game reps between the two. Meanwhile, less established players have jobs to earn.
Here are five things to watch:
U.S. Bank Stadium: It?s not every week a visiting team helps christen a stadium that was more than a decade and $1.1 billion in the making. Such is the stage the Chargers take, and they anticipate a loud reception. The team played artificial crowd noise in practice to help prepare. ?It'll be extremely loud with this being their opener for their new stadium,? coach Mike McCoy said. ?It'll be a great environment, especially for our offense with the crowd noise, what we'll have to do to execute. Noise should make us calm; that's the way I like to look at it. Defensively, make some big plays to help everyone. Settle the crowd down. That?s the key on the road. Let?s stick together.? Like U.S. Bank, Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 11 against the Chiefs will be noisy. That game also features a 10 a.m. start.
Defensive line: Sure, the Chargers wish Bosa had signed by now. That includes defensive end Corey Liuget, who praised the rookie in the spring for his advanced play, particularly given Bosa was only 20 at the time. But there comes a time to accept reality for what it is. The fact is this D-line that?ll be on the field Sunday, for the most part, will be the one come Week 1. Square is one exception, given his suspension doesn?t start until the regular season. ?I think we?re in a good place still, to be honest with you,? Liuget said. ?Joey will make us a little better. I?m hoping he can make us better, coming in and playing the 5-technique or wherever the defense needs him at. But for the most part, we stand pretty good with the guys who are here. I feel very comfortable with Tenny (Palepoi) and (Darius) Philon right now. Those guys I?ve been going to war with for three weeks. Bosa hasn?t been here. He may know the playbook; I don?t know what his situation is with knowing it. But right now, if I had to pick one, just playbook-wise, I?d rather play with Philon and Tenny. Once Bosa grasps it and learns it, I?m pretty sure I?ll be happy to have him out there, too.?
Fifth WR: Theoretically, the Chargers could carry as few as four wide receivers on their 53-man roster with Keenan Allen, Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and Dontrelle Inman active. But James Jones and Isaiah Burse are among those who can push the conversation to five. Burse is cheaper, has been in the offense longer and can contribute at kick returner. Jones, 32, is more experienced but, as an early August signing, needs more reps before having comfort in the offense. A strong finish to the preseason will go a long way for them and rookie practice-squad candidate Dom Williams. Javontee Herndon would've been in this mix, too, but a knee injury on the first day of camp continues to sideline him.
Spencer Pulley: There is no doubt the undrafted rookie will be on the club?s 53-man roster. But Sunday will offer a good test for him, as the line often will be in the silent count while facing an athletic front. The former guard-center from Vanderbilt is slated to start against the Vikings at right guard for Fluker. As a side note, Chargers offensive line coach Jeff Davidson is making his return to Minnesota. He spent the past five seasons here.
Melvin Gordon: The exhibition debut of linebacker Jatavis Brown is an honorable mention. But as it has been the first two games, a focus remains on the Chargers? 2015 first-round pick. Gordon likely won?t see the field at all Thursday against the 49ers, so he has an opportunity to finish the preseason strong. So far, he has nine carries for 33 yards and a 44-yard touchdown reception. Gordon trained this offseason with Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who is not expected to play.
Oh, yeah.
That?s right.
The Chargers have a game Sunday.
Indeed, the team flew Saturday morning to Minneapolis for a 10 a.m. PT kickoff against the Vikings. Coaches and players, of course, didn't lose sight of the exhibition. Too much for too many is on the line.
The third exhibition game is an annual regular-season dress rehearsal, one in which many Chargers starters, including quarterback Philip Rivers, will see more playing time Sunday than the rest of the preseason combined.
Rivers will hope to connect with Travis Benjamin at least once; this marks the first live game reps between the two. Meanwhile, less established players have jobs to earn.
Here are five things to watch:
U.S. Bank Stadium: It?s not every week a visiting team helps christen a stadium that was more than a decade and $1.1 billion in the making. Such is the stage the Chargers take, and they anticipate a loud reception. The team played artificial crowd noise in practice to help prepare. ?It'll be extremely loud with this being their opener for their new stadium,? coach Mike McCoy said. ?It'll be a great environment, especially for our offense with the crowd noise, what we'll have to do to execute. Noise should make us calm; that's the way I like to look at it. Defensively, make some big plays to help everyone. Settle the crowd down. That?s the key on the road. Let?s stick together.? Like U.S. Bank, Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 11 against the Chiefs will be noisy. That game also features a 10 a.m. start.
Defensive line: Sure, the Chargers wish Bosa had signed by now. That includes defensive end Corey Liuget, who praised the rookie in the spring for his advanced play, particularly given Bosa was only 20 at the time. But there comes a time to accept reality for what it is. The fact is this D-line that?ll be on the field Sunday, for the most part, will be the one come Week 1. Square is one exception, given his suspension doesn?t start until the regular season. ?I think we?re in a good place still, to be honest with you,? Liuget said. ?Joey will make us a little better. I?m hoping he can make us better, coming in and playing the 5-technique or wherever the defense needs him at. But for the most part, we stand pretty good with the guys who are here. I feel very comfortable with Tenny (Palepoi) and (Darius) Philon right now. Those guys I?ve been going to war with for three weeks. Bosa hasn?t been here. He may know the playbook; I don?t know what his situation is with knowing it. But right now, if I had to pick one, just playbook-wise, I?d rather play with Philon and Tenny. Once Bosa grasps it and learns it, I?m pretty sure I?ll be happy to have him out there, too.?
Fifth WR: Theoretically, the Chargers could carry as few as four wide receivers on their 53-man roster with Keenan Allen, Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and Dontrelle Inman active. But James Jones and Isaiah Burse are among those who can push the conversation to five. Burse is cheaper, has been in the offense longer and can contribute at kick returner. Jones, 32, is more experienced but, as an early August signing, needs more reps before having comfort in the offense. A strong finish to the preseason will go a long way for them and rookie practice-squad candidate Dom Williams. Javontee Herndon would've been in this mix, too, but a knee injury on the first day of camp continues to sideline him.
Spencer Pulley: There is no doubt the undrafted rookie will be on the club?s 53-man roster. But Sunday will offer a good test for him, as the line often will be in the silent count while facing an athletic front. The former guard-center from Vanderbilt is slated to start against the Vikings at right guard for Fluker. As a side note, Chargers offensive line coach Jeff Davidson is making his return to Minnesota. He spent the past five seasons here.
Melvin Gordon: The exhibition debut of linebacker Jatavis Brown is an honorable mention. But as it has been the first two games, a focus remains on the Chargers? 2015 first-round pick. Gordon likely won?t see the field at all Thursday against the 49ers, so he has an opportunity to finish the preseason strong. So far, he has nine carries for 33 yards and a 44-yard touchdown reception. Gordon trained this offseason with Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who is not expected to play.
