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Jaret Patterson Jaret Patterson Taking some first-team reps
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 11:04 AM
Patterson got a lot of first-team snaps during practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: With Gus Edwards (undisclosed) limited to individual drills and sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal working with the backups, J.K. Dobbins and Patterson seem to be getting most of the first-team RB snaps early in training camp. Patterson nonetheless seems more likely to find himself on the roster bubble than competing for a significant Week 1 role, considering he went undrafted back in 2021 and didn't make a regular-season appearance last year. He spent most of 2022 on the Commanders' practice squad and most of 2023 on the Chargers' practice squad. |
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DJ Chark DJ Chark Running with first-team offense
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 10:19 AM
Chark is working with the first-team offense early in training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Chargers presumably hope 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston will eventually take Chark's spot, but so far it sounds like Johnston has mostly worked with the second-stringers after his disappointing rookie season. Chark played 15 games for the Panthers last year -- his healthiest season since he put up 73-1,008-8 for the Jaguars in 2019 -- but he reached 50 yards just three times while playing in one of the worst offenses in the league. As much as better QB play is a near-certainty in Los Angeles, there's a reason Chark is on his fourth team in as many years. He's not in over his head as a starting wideout, but you'd rather have him coming off the bench as a No. 4 receiver who can threaten defenses downfield. The Chargers may not have that luxury after jettisoning Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason and settling for Chark and second-round pick Ladd McConkey as replacements. McConkey and Joshua Palmer are the other WRs that have been getting a lot of first-team snaps during the first week of training camp. |
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Gus Edwards Gus Edwards Being eased back in
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 2:28 PM
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Edwards (undisclosed) went through individual drills during Wednesday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Harbaugh added that Edwards underwent an unspecified offseason procedure, and as a result, the Chargers plan to give the running back a "longer runway" in terms of being a full participant in practice. As the coming season approaches, Daniel Popper of The Athletic has suggested that Edwards, when available, profiles as the team's lead back, with J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller in the mix for complementary touches. Given that Edwards hasn't been involved as a pass catcher during his career, he'll make most of his fantasy impact in early-down and goal-line situations, a context that could lead to PPR utility for whomever emerges as the team's top change-of-pace option. |
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J.K. Dobbins J.K. Dobbins Practicing in full pads
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 11:39 AM
Dobbins (Achilles) is participating in the first day of Chargers training camp Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Dobbins will avoid having to begin training camp on the PUP list, confirming that he's truly healthy after having suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in Baltimore's regular-season opener in 2023. Whether Dobbins' effectiveness has been compromised by the injury remains to be determined, as the torn Achilles represents the most recent setback among the gauntlet of major injuries he's dealt with in his NFL career, which also include a torn ACL, a torn LCL and severe hamstring strain. Still, Dobbins' presence on the field to begin camp is a major point in his favor, and as long as he hasn't lost too much explosiveness, he could be set for a significant role alongside former Ravens teammate Gus Edwards in a familiar rushing scheme led by offensive coordinator Greg Roman. |
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Gus Edwards Gus Edwards Taking part in practice
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 11:33 AM
Edwards (undisclosed) was on the field Wednesday in the first day of training camp, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Edwards was seen going through drills in full pads Wednesday after having been limited to working out on the side during June minicamp. The veteran bruiser appears to be over whatever injury was pestering him during spring. He'll reunite in Los Angeles with offensive coordinator Greg Roman in what is expected to be a run-heavy offensive scheme under new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Edwards appears to be the favorite to serve as the Chargers' starting running back Week 1, and he should be in line to handle the majority of goal-line work. Former Ravens teammate J.K. Dobbins (Achilles), Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller could all be in the mix for change-of-pace work, as Edwards has never been much of a factor on third downs or obvious passing situations. |
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Isaiah Spiller Isaiah Spiller Competing for No. 3 RB role
Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 4:35 PM
Spiller is slated to compete with rookie sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal for the No. 3 running back job behind Gus Edwards (undisclosed) and J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) during training camp, Alexander Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: Spiller, a 2022 fourth-round pick, is averaging just 2.5 YPC on 55 rush attempts across two seasons in the NFL, so he'll likely need to take a big step forward this offseason in order to earn a notable backfield role. Neither of Edwards nor Dobbins are a lock to stay healthy and play a full 17-game slate this season, though the former did accomplish that in 2023 with Baltimore, making the Chargers' third running back spot a position that could eventually hold fantasy value. Plus, new offensive coordinator Greg Roman figures to install a run-heavy scheme, and potentially one that could suit Spiller's elusiveness. However, Vidal boasts similar bulk and notably superior speed to Spiller. |
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Gus Edwards Gus Edwards Injured, should be ready for camp
Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 12:26 PM
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday that Edwards (undisclosed) worked to the side with trainers during mandatory minicamp and that there's a "high possibility" he will be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Edwards' injury details remain undisclosed, and while it doesn't currently appear that the Chargers are seriously worried about his status, fantasy managers would certainly prefer for the 29-year-old not to be nicked up at this stage of the offseason. Harbaugh also revealed that Edwards wasn't present for voluntary OTAs. Following the departure of Austin Ekeler, Edwards appears to have a clear path to the No. 1 backfield gig to begin the 2024 season, health permitting. J.K. Dobbins, rookie sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal, and 2022 fourth-rounder Isaiah Spiller are all also options to compete for work. If Edwards ends up missing significant time this offseason, leaving first-team reps up for grabs, that could pave the way to a true backfield committee forming. |
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Joshua Palmer Joshua Palmer Practicing after knee injury
Wed, Jun 5, 2024, 10:54 AM
Palmer (knee) got his most reps of the offseason Tuesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Palmer averaged a career-high 58.1 receiving yards per game last season, but he missed Weeks 9-14 with a knee sprain and then suffered another knee injury in the season finale. After spending part of the offseason rehabbing, Palmer has resumed practicing with teammates and might be the safest bet to start in a new-look Chargers offense under coordinator Greg Roman. The team moved on from WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (knee) this offseason, later bringing in second-round pick Ladd McConkey and veteran DJ Chark. There's a breakout opportunity for Palmer in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, if he can combine the volume he saw in 2022 (107 targets) with the big-play ability he flashed last year (15.3 yards per catch, career-high 11.2 aDOT). On the other hand, he's never been targeted on more than 18.1 percent of his routes in a season, even though Williams and Allen combined for only 39 appearances (out of a possible 68) the past two seasons. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Hot start to OTAs
Tue, May 21, 2024, 11:04 AM
Herbert (finger) has impressed early in OTAs during 11-on-11 drills and is already demonstrating a connection with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Herbert looks fully recovered from the finger injury that cost him the final four games of 2023, and after losing both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (knee) this offseason, it's encouraging to see him already establishing trust with McConkey. Even with new coach Jim Harbaugh installing a run-heavy scheme, Herbert should still provide strong passing numbers working with McConkey and returning wideouts Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston. The addition of No. 5 overall pick Joe Alt, who's started at right tackle throughout OTAs, also promises more protection for Herbert, which should ease any adjustment to a new offensive philosophy. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Team expecting Year 2 breakout
Thu, May 16, 2024, 3:48 PM
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said he believes Johnston is "really going to launch" as a starter during the 2024 season, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Horitz mentioned that in his time as director of player personnel with Baltimore last season that Johnston "was a player we liked," and he praised the 2023 first-round pick's work ethic this offseason while acknowledging "some rawness to his game" as a rookie. Johnston finished with a subpar 431 yards last season despite suiting up for all 17 games, but with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (knee) no longer in the picture for Los Angeles, he has a clear path to a starting role alongside incumbent Joshua Palmer, while being joined by DJ Chark and rookie second-rounder Ladd McConkey. New coach Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman could spark life to the Chargers' offense, though the new scheme projects as a run-heavy approach. Still, Johnston will have every opportunity to establish himself atop this depth chart, despite his uninspiring rookie production. He'll need to make some strides this offseason toward more consistently gaining separation, not to mention cleaning up issues with drops. |
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DJ Chark DJ Chark Joins forces with Bolts
Thu, May 2, 2024, 9:35 PM
Chark and the Chargers agreed to terms on a one-year contract Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Per Rapoport, the deal is worth up to $5 million. Chark visited with the Chargers exactly one week before the 2024 NFL Draft, and his signing with the team comes exactly one week after its first round. With L.A., he'll be providing a veteran presence to a receiving corps that parted with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason, meaning Chark will be vying with the likes of Joshua Palmer (knee), Quentin Johnston and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey for reps in the upcoming campaign. In 15 regular-season games with the Panthers in 2023, Chark hauled in 35 of 66 targets for 525 yards and five touchdowns. |
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J.K. Dobbins J.K. Dobbins Feels fully healthy
Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 2:25 PM
Dobbins (Achilles) said he feels 100 percent healthy heading into the offseason program, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: "I've had these injuries, and it's been a storm," Dobbins said. "But I think the storm is over with, and I think I'm going to take off now. There's going to be no setbacks, and the 'injury prone' thing will be gone out of the window." Since being drafted in the second round by the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins has missed a whopping 43 games to various significant injuries, including a torn ACL, torn LCL, severe hamstring strain and a torn Achilles tendon. To say the injury-prone label is behind him might be wishful thinking, as his body has yet to cooperate with him to this point. The 25-year-old Dobbins joined Gus Edwards in following offensive coordinator Greg Roman from Baltimore to the Chargers, so he will at least be in a familiar scheme. |
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Gus Edwards Gus Edwards Projected lead back
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 2:49 PM
Following the recent NFL Draft, Edwards profiles as the Chargers' lead back as the 2024 season approaches, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: In the wake of the offseason departure of prior lead back Austin Ekeler, the Chargers backfield has undergone an overhaul, with Edwards and J.K. Dobbins -- both former Ravens -- arriving via free agency and Kimani Vidal through this year's draft, joining returnee Isaiah Spiller, a 2022 fourth-rounder. In that context, Popper suggests that Edwards, who GM Joe Hortiz described as a "bell cow" back in March, is in line to get the bulk of the team's work out of the gate this season as Dobbins bounces back from his Achilles' injury and Vidal and Spiller make their cases to carve out complementary roles in the Los Angeles offense. |
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J.K. Dobbins J.K. Dobbins Should be ready for training camp
Fri, Apr 19, 2024, 11:38 AM
Dobbins (Achilles), who agreed to terms with the Chargers on Thursday, "should be" ready for training camp according to GM Joe Hortiz, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Tom Pelissero of NFL Network relayed last month that Dobbins -- who suffered a torn Achilles in Baltimore's regular-season opener in 2023 -- has been cleared for football activities, with previous reports having noted that the running back had resumed running this offseason. Based on the assessment of Hortiz on Thursday, Dobbins is still working his way back from his injury, but if the 2020 second-rounder is able to return to form, he and Gus Edwards (who also came over from the Ravens in free agency) have a chance to provide an effective 1-2 punch in the Chargers' backfield in 2024 under the guidance of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who both players worked with in Baltimore. |
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J.K. Dobbins J.K. Dobbins Slated to join Chargers
Wed, Apr 17, 2024, 6:40 PM
Dobbins (Achilles) is in line to sign a one-contract with the Chargers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: A second-round pick of the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins had two of his first four pro seasons cut short due to an ACL tear in 2021 and then a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. In his 24 career appearances, he's averaged a robust 5.8 yards on 234 carries, gathered in 27 of 35 targets for 177 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache penned a letter to NFL teams in late March that Dobbins had received medical clearance to participate in football activities, but his new contract will be contingent on a physical. Once the move west to L.A. becomes official, Dobbins will join forces with former teammate Gus Edwards at the top of the RB depth chart, giving him some sway in fantasy working alongside QB Justin Herbert. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Signs with Chargers
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 7:16 PM
Hurst agreed to a deal with the Chargers on Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported Thursday that Hurst visited Los Angeles after being released by Carolina on Wednesday. The Chargers' pass-catching corps will look very different in 2024 after Keenan Allen (heel) was traded to the Bears on Thursday, Mike Williams (knee) was released Wednesday, and tight end Gerald Everett departed to the Bears on Tuesday. Hurst missed the final eight games of 2023 due to a concussion and recorded 18 catches on 32 targets for 184 yards and one touchdown. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Poised to start
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 3:09 PM
Johnston and Joshua Palmer (knee) are the top wide receivers left on the Chargers after the team released Mike Williams (knee) and traded Keenan Allen to Chicago.
Analysis: The 2023 first-round pick should have every chance to earn a starting job even if the Chargers end up bringing in another wide receiver via an early pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The lack of target competition is promising for fantasy purposes, while Johnston's rookie-year performance and new coaching staff are considerably less promising. Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman are known for prioritizing the running game, and the team's willingness to move on from both Allen and Williams further hint at that being the plan in Los Angeles despite having QB Justin Herbert under contract long term. Johnston said earlier this offseason that he expects a "breakout" under Harbaugh, after managing just 431 yards in 17 games as a rookie. |
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Joshua Palmer Joshua Palmer Left atop depth chart
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 3:04 PM
Palmer (knee) and Quentin Johnston are the top wide receivers left on the Chargers after the team released Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen.
Analysis: The other part of the equation is that the Chargers own the fifth overall pick in a draft with three elite WR prospects. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll end up with Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, but it'll certainly be a common prediction in mock drafts over the next six weeks. Palmer averaged a career-high 58.1 receiving yards per game in 2023, his third NFL season, albeit while missing six games with a knee injury and a seventh with a concussion. He then hurt his knee in the regular-season finale, but there hasn't been any follow up suggesting it was a serious injury. Palmer now enters the final year of his rookie contract under a new head coach (Jim Harbaugh) and offensive coordinator (Greg Roman), with those hirings and the team's offseason moves hinting at a more run-oriented offense in 2023. That could still work out well for Palmer in fantasy terms given the likelihood of reduced competition for targets relative to his first three seasons. |
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Easton Stick Easton Stick Re-signs with Los Angeles
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 2:45 PM
The Chargers re-signed Stick on Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The North Dakota State product is now in line to remain in Los Angeles after agreeing to a new deal with the Chargers. Stick appeared in five games (four starts) for the Chargers in 2023, throwing for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He's expected to remain a serviceable backup quarterback option if Justin Herbert were to go down in 2024. |
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Will Dissly Will Dissly Set to sign with Bolts
Mon, Mar 11, 2024, 4:37 PM
Dissly is slated to sign a three-year deal with the Chargers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Pelissero relays that Dissly's pending contract is for $14 million, including $10 million guaranteed. With Gerald Everett in line to become a free agent, Dissly will bolster the Chargers' tight end corps in 2024, while providing the team with a reliable run-blocking option at the position. During the 2023 regular season, the 27-year-old recorded 17 catches (on 22 targets) for 172 yards and a touchdown over 16 games with the Seahawks, who he joined as a fourth-round draft pick in 2018. |
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