Chargers: Who will miss tonight's game vs. Seahawks?

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The third preseason game is the most important preseason game for the starters, but not all of the starters will be suiting up and playing against the Seattle Seahawks tonight.

Orlando Franklin and Manti Te'o are expected the miss the game with mysterious nagging injuries, but nobody seems worried about those injuries carrying over into the regular season. Nobody is quite sure who will replace Franklin at LG (Trevor Robinson?), but there are rumblings that the team may test out rookie LB Denzel Perryman as the starter next to Donald Butler instead of Kavell Conner.

Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon are both expected to play after missing last week's game. It appears that Jason Verrett will be on the field this week as well.

Eric Weddle is expected to not play in this game, although no reason is being given. It's probably a "rest game", similar to why Rivers sat out last week. Expect Jimmy Wilson to start in his place, and Jahleel Addae to get the start at SS. This could be the game that determines which of them eventually ends up as the team's starter next to Weddle.

 

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Seahawks


The annual ?dress rehearsal? preseason game is tonight vs the San Diego Chargers. While it isn?t indicative of the type of season to come win or lose, there is a growing desire to see more positive things, especially from the first stringers and for guys on the bubble. The first cuts have to happen after this game, so it?s a big game in that regard.

What are some story lines and things to keep an eye on heading into San Diego?

1: Rhythm and protection from the first string offense. Field goals are nice compared to three and outs, but seeing some good rhythm in the run and pass game along with one or two touchdowns would be ideal. Combine that with protecting the QB and there will be slight reason to believe this offensive line maybe won?t get demolished @ STL week one.


2: Defensive line continuing to excel. The defensive line has been a huge bright spot. The addition of Rubin is working well, Frank Clark is showing why Carroll and Schneider fell in love with him before the NFL draft, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril continue to excel, and Cassius Marsh is showing signs of improvement. Brandon Mebane has proven yet again he isn?t so easily expendable.

3: Offensive line roster outlook. There likely won?t be any significant changes going into the fourth preseason game. The offensive line that they like after this upcoming game will be the one that trots out onto the field to protect Russell Wilson and to block for Marshawn Lynch. If the first string plays well, they all could be playing week 1 together.

4: Tyler Lockett watch continues. The rookie who after being drafted was potentially compared to Antonio Brown has done nothing but impress the Seahawks in practice and in games to this point. He?s putting on a clinic as a rookie that hasn?t been seen since the 2012 class of Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson. Another highlight play tonight perhaps?

5: The Legion of Boom partially returns. It has been weird watching a defense without Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, and Kam Chancellor. While we?re still waiting on Earl and Kam, Richard Sherman will play for the first time since Super Bowl 49. Sherman will have a very welcome return to the secondary that has been trying to fill in the void with the Legion of Boom absent.

6: Running backs, stand up! Christine Michael has actually exceeded even some of my own expectations with the ability he has shown to pass protect. Something that nowadays is a requirement for NFL running backs since the QB position continues to grow in importance and emphasis via the rules. However, fumbling backwards was a one step forward, two steps back type scenario.

7: High effort from all players, especially those on the bubble. This is your night to prove you deserve to play with the first stringers for an extended amount of time. Or to play well once they lose to prove you deserve more time with the team either via the active roster or the practice squad. Wide receivers trying to make the squad in a stacked position group? Tonight is your night.

 

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Seahawks cont'


QUARTERBACK


The starters are expected to play into the third quarter, which means the most action this season for Russell Wilson. The No. 1 offense has yet to score a touchdown this preseason, with two field goals, a lost fumble and three punts in six possessions. Goes without saying Wilson would like to lead a touchdown drive tonight. R.J. Archer figures to play the rest once Wilson goes out with Tarvaris Jackson still on the mend after the sprained ankle suffered week one.

RUNNING BACK


Marshawn Lynch might get a carry or two tonight as this would be the time it would make sense to get him a little work before the regular season. There doesn?t appear to be any change to the rest of the tailback order ? Robert Turbin, Christine Michael, Thomas Rawls and Rod Smith. All of the fullbacks appear healthy

TIGHT END

Figure Jimmy Graham to also get a lot of work tonight to keep working on the on-field chemistry with Wilson. It appeared to take a step in the right direction last week when Graham had three receptions in a span of nine plays on a field goal drive led by Wilson. The rest of the tight ends appear healthy and this could be a vital game for Cooper Helftet and Anthony McCoy to state a case for themselves.

RECEIVER

Expect a similar workload for the starting receivers as the Seahawks will look to get the number one offense into the regular season on a good note (though recall that Chris Matthews remains out with a shoulder injury suffered week one). Still, there should be plenty of snaps for some of the guys battling for a final roster spot, specifically B.J. Daniels, Kevin Norwood, Kevin Smith and Kasen Williams. They all may be competing for one spot. Watch what they do on special teams, as well.


DEFENSIVE LINE

Frank Clark should be healthy again after playing through a sore ankle last week, and while a performance like the Denver game set a high bar that may be unrealistic to expect every week, he?d certainly like to built on that heading into the regular season. Pete Carroll has talked a few times throughout camp about the defensive line having the most speed of any he has coached, and a good Charger offense ? and a heady quarterback in Philip Rivers who is adept at getting rid of the ball quickly ? should be a good test of that. One guy to continue to watch is undrafted free agent T.Y McGill, whose made a quiet push for a roster spot.