Chargers Won't Making Coaching Change Before Thursday
The Chargers will wait until after Thursday’s game against the Broncos before considering a head coaching change, a source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Club ownership is thinking through all its options, and the most likely candidate to take over the team in the event that Mike McCoy is fired is offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt, in his second stint as San Diego’s play-caller, boasts seven-plus years of head coaching experience with the Cardinals and Titans.
Chargers To Explore Options At Holder
- A botched hold cost the Chargers a chance at overtime on Sunday, and San Diego will “explore options” at holder, according to head coach Mike McCoy (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com). Drew Kasar, the man who mishandled the snap in question, will remain the club’s punter, however.
Chargers Activate Damion Square
- The Chargers have activated defensive lineman Damion Square, who like Colvin had been serving a four-game ban, the club announced. To create a roster spot, San Diego placed linebacker Nick Dzubnar on injured reserve.
Rapoport: Mike McCoy Facing Critical Stretch Of Games
- Chargers coach Mike McCoy was facing a “critical two-game stretch” entering this weekend, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. A firing doesn’t appear to be imminent following his team’s loss to the Raiders, but a bad showing on Thursday could spell the end of McCoy’s tenure in San Diego. Rapoport adds that some within the organization thought “a change would be made” following last week’s loss to the Saints.
- It was a tough day for Chargers rookie punter Drew Kaser. His lone punt traveled only 16 yards, and he later fumbled the ball on a potential game-tying field goal. McCoy was non-committal when discussing the position after the game. “We’ll talk about that later on,” he said (via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Twitter).
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Chargers To Invest More In Injury Research
This year’s Chargers have lost numerous key players, from the preseason injury to Stevie Johnson to the early-season carnage that’s taken out Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, Jahleel Addae, Manti Te’o and now Jason Verrett. Antonio Gates and Joey Bosa have also missed extensive time due to injuries. This comes after 2015’s spate of maladies that helped put the Bolts in the top five of a draft for the first time since 2004.
After a second straight Chargers season faces the prospects of being overrun by injuries, the team is planning to expand its offseason studies in this area. The organization appears set to devote more resources to researching injuries come 2017, given what’s happened over the past month.
“I can assure you this year is going to be more in-depth and thorough than ever before,” Chargers president John Spanos said, via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
This year’s Chargers have lost numerous key players, from the preseason injury to Stevie Johnson to the early-season carnage that’s taken out Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, Jahleel Addae, Manti Te’o and now Jason Verrett. Antonio Gates and Joey Bosa have also missed extensive time due to injuries. This comes after 2015’s spate of maladies that helped put the Bolts in the top five of a draft for the first time since 2004.
Gehlken points out the early portion of this decade did not bring the trouble the past two years have, with ACL and Achilles tears sparse before the ’15 season. Several within the organization said they’ve never seen anything like what’s happened to the Chargers on the health front the past two years, per Gehlken.
- Jackson also notes Chiefs center Mitch Morse and Chargers inside linebacker Denzel Perryman drew support from members of the Dolphins front office during Day 2 of the 2015 draft, but Mike Tannenbaum opted to trade down and snag defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who has not produced to this point, in the second round.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/7/16
Friday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: Darrell Greene, Matt Rotheram
- Cut: Don Cherry, JaCorey Shepherd
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: DT Ryan Carrethers (via Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com)
Joey Bosa To Debut Sunday
After missing the first four games of the season because of a hamstring strain, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa will make his highly anticipated NFL debut Sunday, he told Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“This has been a long time coming. I’m finally going to play my first snap. But I’m going to stay calm and treat it like another game,” said Bosa.
With Bosa set to crack the lineup against the AFC West rival Raiders, the 1-3 Chargers will finally get a glimpse of the third overall pick in a game situation. Bosa previously missed each of the Chargers’ four preseason contests and all of training camp on account of a months-long contract battle between him and the team. The former Ohio State Buckeye and his representatives fought with San Diego over offset language and signing bonus distribution in his deal. They eventually agreed to a compromise Aug. 29, but only after publicly trading blows.
Given that Bosa just became a full participant in practice this week, the Chargers will likely limit his snap count against the Raiders, per Gehlken. For the Bolts, though, any impact from Bosa would be welcome against Oakland – which is 3-1 and in possession of one of the league’s top offenses. The Chargers have struggled defensively and are banged up at cornerback, but their Bosa-less pass rush has fared well. San Diego ranks tied for 12th in the league in sacks (nine) and third in hurries (27).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Chargers To Promote CB Trevor Williams
The Chargers will promote cornerback Trevor Williams from their practice squad in advance of Sunday’s game against the Raiders, a source told Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). The 1-3 Bolts are banged up at corner, which could pose a problem in trying to stop the AFC West rival Raiders (3-1) and their high-flying attack.
In addition to Jason Verrett, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4, the Chargers are dealing with injuries to Brandon Flowers and Craig Mager. Flowers missed the Chargers’ 35-34 loss to the Saints last Sunday with a concussion and hasn’t practiced this week, while a shoulder injury limited Mager on Thursday.
With Verrett, Flowers and Mager ailing, the door is now open for Williams to make his NFL debut. The Chargers signed Williams as an undrafted free agent from Penn State on April 30. After Williams failed to make San Diego’s final roster on Sept. 3, he quickly joined its practice squad. Williams intercepted five passes in his three years with the Nittany Lions and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in both 2014 and 2015.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/16
Here are today’s minor moves.
- The Chargers signed cornerback Steve Williams and released nose tackle Ryan Carrethers, as Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Bears promoted fullback Paul Lasike from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
- Ravens tight end Daniel Brown has been promoted from the taxi squad to the active roster, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets.
- The Browns signed offensive lineman Anthony Fabiano off of their practice squad and waived defensive lineman Gabe Wright, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweets.
Chargers CB Jason Verrett Done For Season
Today’s tests revealed some bad news for Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett. The starter has suffered a partially torn ACL and will undergo surgery to fix the issue, Verrett told Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter). Verrett added that his “season is done with.” 
Earlier today, it was reported that Verrett feared that he had been playing on a torn ligament in his knee for the last two weeks. While his toughness is admirable, that’s obviously unsustainable. Verrett will face a lengthy rehab process after going under the knife with an eye on playing in 2017.
Verrett, who is often assigned to the other team’s top receiver, earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2015. In 14 games last year, Verrett had 47 total tackles, three interceptions, and 12 passes defensed.
Through four games, Verrett has 13 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception. The advanced numbers at Pro Football Focus pegged him as just No. 71 out of 114 qualified corners in the NFL. That’s an indication that Verrett has been held back quite a bit by his injury.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.