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Last season, the Chargers were one of the healthier teams in the league, but injuries have hit hard in the preseason this year — enough to cancel an upcoming joint practice with the Rams.
As a result, coach Jim Harbaugh once again turned to his rookies and backups on Sunday, giving them the reins early to gauge the team’s depth.
The Chargers defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-13 in a preseason game at SoFi Stadium. Here are some takeaways from the game:
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Trey Lance shows he can still run
(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
With a strong showing in the preseason opener — earning both the trust and praise of the coaching staff — Trey Lance has seemingly closed the gap in what was once considered a foregone decision for the backup quarterback spot.
The growing confidence in his game showed Sunday — trusting his legs to extend plays — as he extended his second series with 13- and 17-yard scrambles in the second quarter. He capped the drive with a designed quarterback draw near the goal line for a five-yard touchdown run.
“It allows you to move the chains,” Harbaugh said of Lance’s running ability. “You make the right decisions, that’s what it really comes down to. ... Not everybody can do that.”
Harbaugh added, “I’m glad he’s getting that game-time experience. We thought he would be good.”
Most of Lance’s production came on the ground, rushing seven times for 48 yards. He also completed seven of 14 passes for 55 yards.
“[I’m] just trying to have great practices and stack those on top of each other, and then great games and continue to stack those,” Lance said. “Like I said last week, I thought it was a good starting point. And this week, another one.”
Taylor Heinicke, who sat out the preseason opener, looked rusty in his first action, starting the game but finishing one for five for eight yards with one sack.
During his lone quarter of work, he overshot several receivers — Tyler Conklin downfield and Kimani Vidal near the sideline. Several drives stalled with Heinicke under center, as the Chargers started deep in their territory and pressure collapsed the pocket.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh plans to use Joe Alt as Justin Herbert’s blindside protector in the wake of Rashawn Slater’s season-ending injury.
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Caleb Murphy making the most of his snaps
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler is tackled by Chargers linebacker Caleb Murphy during the first half Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
Early in the second quarter, Caleb Murphy burst off the left edge to sack quarterback Spencer Rattler, knocking the ball loose for a Saints turnover.
On the next Saints possession, this time from the right side, Murphy bull-rushed the tackle and again got to Rattler.
Harbaugh said he predicted Murphy would have a big day, telling the team beforehand and making him a captain. He added that Murphy is making a “very good case” to be on the 53-man roster.
Signed to the practice squad last season as an undrafted free agent, Murphy is taking full advantage of extra reps with Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu not playing in the preseason. The Chargers are still searching for depth at edge rusher, and Murphy’s showing is keeping him in that conversation.
“You just got to go in there and feel comfortable, confident and believe in your ability,” Murphy said. “I’ve just grown confident, and I like where I’m at.”
His main competition, fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard, did not dress, while Tre’Mon Morris-Brash finished with three assisted tackles.
One day after it was reported that the NFL banned ammonia inhalants, the league clarified that while teams can no longer supply them, players can supply their own.
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Eric Rogers makes roster case before injury
(Jayne Kamin- Oncea / Associated Press)
Under the tutelage of defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, the Chargers’ secondary continues to shine with their ball-hawking skills, following up on a three-interception performance in the Hall of Fame Game.
This week, undrafted rookie Eric Rogers showcased his ball-tracking ability by jumping a Tyler Shough pass and returning it 55 yards for a pick-six.
“That was as good a play as I’ve ever seen, as good as a play you can make,” Harbaugh said of the interception. “The catch, completing the catch to the ground, getting back up — he was rolling.”
Later in the fourth quarter, Rogers high-pointed a Jake Haener pass for his second interception.
Rogers made a strong case to be on the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, he was injured on kickoff coverage late in the fourth, remaining down for several minutes before trainers helped him off the field.
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Special teams hit and miss
(Jayne Kamin- Oncea / Associated Press)
With the volume of attempts he had last season, Cameron Dicker ranked among the league’s most accurate kickers — and he looked in form again, drilling 44-yard and 40-yard field goals.
Nyheim Miller-Hines, meanwhile, had a rougher outing in his bid to secure the second returner role alongside Derius Davis.
He muffed a punt that set up the Saints in scoring position and later bobbled another before recovering it, prompting rookie Luke Grimm to take over punt return duties in the second half.
