Brandon Staley Voiced Offseason Concerns About Chargers' Roster
After Justin Herbert finished the 2021 season in the unusual position of being the AFC’s Pro Bowl starter but out of the playoffs, Brandon Staley voiced concerns about the Chargers‘ roster to ownership. Staley conveyed to both ownership and the Bolts’ front office that defensive and special teams upgrades were necessary this offseason. More specifically, Staley wanted veteran pieces, ESPN.com’s Lindsey Thiry notes, adding that the second-year HC sought a defense capable of complementing a ready-now offense.
- While Staley stressed the team will not rush Herbert back, the third-year Chargers quarterback practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday. Herbert’s rib cartilage fracture comes as the doctor leading his rehab effort — David S. Gazzaniga — is being sued by former Bolts QB Tyrod Taylor regarding a 2020 incident. “I think we have full alignment with Justin and his family, his agents, and then the medical professionals, and that’s what we’re going to try to do is have alignment that way and just kind of trust the process and hopefully get him well soon,” Staley said, via Thiry.
After Justin Herbert finished the 2021 season in the unusual position of being the AFC’s Pro Bowl starter but out of the playoffs, Brandon Staley voiced concerns about the Chargers‘ roster to ownership. Staley conveyed to both ownership and the Bolts’ front office that defensive and special teams upgrades were necessary this offseason. More specifically, Staley wanted veteran pieces, ESPN.com’s Lindsey Thiry notes, adding that the second-year HC sought a defense capable of complementing a ready-now offense.
DVOA placed the 2021 Chargers fourth in offense and 26th defensively, despite the fast-rising Staley becoming the team’s head coach based on his defensive credentials. Facing a time crunch created by Herbert’s extension eligibility, the Chargers added big-ticket defensive pieces in Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson. Auxiliary troops like Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Kyle Van Noy and Bryce Callahan signed as well. The Chargers also extended Derwin James, on a safety-record deal, this summer. The team, which ranked 28th in special teams DVOA last season, replaced its punter and long snapper as well. JK Scott and ex-Falcon Josh Harris are in those roles this year.
QB Tyrod Taylor Sues Chargers’ Team Doctor
Tyrod Taylor‘s time as a starter with the Chargers came to a bizarre end, and it has resulted in legal action. The veteran quarterback is suing the team’s doctor, David S. Gazzaniga, for “at least” $5MM, as detailed by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. 
Taylor was sidelined just prior to the Chargers’ Week 2 game in 2020 when a pain-killing injection was administered, puncturing his lung. The accidental action by Dr. Gazzaniga left Taylor unavailable and opened the door to then-rookie Justin Herbert taking over as the team’s starting signal-caller. The latter has held onto that spot (and much more) in the time since, leaving Taylor to hit the open market the following offseason.
As the lawsuit notes, though, Taylor did so as a backup, rather than the starter then-coach Anthony Lynn stated he would have remained for at least a short time. “The economic difference between a starting quarterback’s salary and a back-up quarterback salary,” the suit states, “is at least $5MM and is more than likely much greater. The exact amount of such past and future loss is unknown to [Taylor] at this time.” As a result, the amount he seeks could be subject to change.
The trial resulting from Taylor’s suit – which also names Dr. Gazzaniga’s Newport Orthopedic Institute as a defendant – was originally scheduled to take place in November, but it has been moved to April to accommodate the NFL calendar. It will be after the 2022 campaign, then, that the matter of Taylor’s alleged “severe physical pain resulting in hospitalization, physical therapy, emotional distress and other past pain and suffering” will be presided over.
In 2021, Taylor signed with the Texans on a one-year deal which paid him $5.5MM. He made six total starts, dealing with a hamstring injury and ceding the No. 1 role to Davis Mills. This summer, he inked a two-year contract to serve as a high-end backup to Daniel Jones with the Giants. The pact carries a similar AAV of $6.5MM.
Dr. Gazzaniga, meanwhile, still holds his position with the Chargers. He will be the subject of plenty of attention once again in the coming days as Herbert deals with the rib cartilage injury he suffered on Thursday. The NFLPA will “closely monitor” Herbert’s treatment, per the ESPN report. Regardless of how that situation plays out, Dr. Gazzaniga will have this suit looming throughout the season.
Justin Herbert Avoids Serious Injury
After laboring through the final minutes of the Chargers’ Thursday game, Justin Herbert underwent a series of tests. The scans did not reveal an injury that will force the star quarterback to miss much time, if any at all.
Brandon Staley said Herbert sustained a rib cartilage fracture and called his starting QB “day-to-day.” Herbert should have a decent chance of playing in the Bolts’ Week 3 game, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
While Staley noted (via Bridget Condon of NFL.com, on Twitter) this is a better outcome than a rib fracture, a fracture of any kind should not exactly be dismissed as a non-issue for the third-year passer. Herbert at one point passed on running for an easy first down as he winced in pain near the end of the Chargers’ Kansas City tilt. Of course, he then threw a strike to DeAndre Carter to set up the Chargers near the Chiefs’ goal line.
A series of rib fractures shut down Drew Brees for a stretch in 2020, but the then-Saints quarterback also suffered a collapsed lung. That set of injuries caused Brees to miss five games that season. Herbert does have a longer stretch to ramp up for Week 3 — a Chargers-Jaguars matchup — but Thursday’s visuals were obviously concerning.
This is certainly a pivotal year for the Chargers, who have missed the playoffs in two of the three seasons in which Herbert must be attached to a rookie contract. The Bolts aggressively upgraded their roster this offseason, adding the likes of Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Kyle Van Noy and Bryce Callahan on defense. Herbert remains the centerpiece of Tom Telesco‘s plan. The former No. 6 overall pick becomes extension-eligible in 2023, though he can be kept on his rookie deal through 2024 via the fifth-year option. Most teams have opted for pre-Year 4 extensions with star quarterbacks, so this season could be Herbert’s last on that rookie deal.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/15/22
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: G Tommy Kraemer
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: WR Malik Taylor
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: K Matt Ammendola, CB Dicaprio Bootle
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: R Jason Moore, TE Richard Rodgers
Chargers CB J.C. Jackson To Play Tonight
J.C. Jackson will make his Chargers debut tonight. James Palmer of NFL Network reports (on Twitter) that the cornerback will play tonight against the Chiefs.
Jackson was considered a game-time decision coming into Thursday. The offseason acquisition missed Week 1 while recovering from late-August ankle surgery. Palmer notes that the cornerback looked good during practice this week, and he’ll give it a go tonight against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The 26-year-old joined Los Angeles this offseason on a five-year, $82.5MM contract. He’s expected to slide in opposite former second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr. at cornerback. Michael Davis, who got into 100 percent of the Chargers’ defensive snaps in Week 1, will likely see a backup role with Jackson in the lineup.
Jackson spent the first four seasons of his career in New England, evolving from an undrafted rookie into a second-team All-Pro. The cornerback has 25 career interceptions in 62 career games, including 17 picks over the past two years. He also led the league with 23 passes defended in 2021.
Elsewhere on the injury front for Thursday Night Football, Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith will play tonight, according to Palmer (via Twitter). The lineman suffered an ankle injury during Kansas City’s Week 1 victory, leading to a questionable designation heading into tonight’s game. After being a limited participant in practice on Tuesday, he was a full participant on Wednesday.
AFC Injury Notes: Ravens, Watt, Bengals
J.K. Dobbins returned to practice today, with the running back hoping to make his long-awaited return to the field this Sunday. The Ravens running back admitted that his injury “wasn’t just a normal ACL,” with Dobbins explaining that he tore his ACL, LCL, hamstring, and meniscus at the end of the 2021 preseason (per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley on Twitter). It’s been just over a year since Dobbins suffered his injury.
“It would mean the world to me if I can go out there this Sunday and play well in front of a full house,” Dobbins said (via Hensley).
Fellow running back Gus Edwards also missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL, but thanks to his placement on PUP, he’ll have to sit out the first four games of the season. Still, Edwards took to Instagram to tell fans that he continues to progress in his recovery and eventual return to the field.
“For everybody wondering about my recovery I’m doing great and I’m very close,” Edwards wrote.
More injury notes from around the AFC…
- The news keeps getting better for T.J. Watt and the Steelers. The star linebacker could recover from his partially torn pectoral muscle within five weeks, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com. There was initial fear that Watt had completely torn his pec, which would have ended his season. The news quickly got better; we learned yesterday that Watt wouldn’t need surgery and could be back within six weeks.
- Bengals long snapper Clark Harris is expected to miss an extended amount of time after tearing his biceps, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). While Zac Taylor didn’t want to rule out the LS for the season, he did acknowledge that the 38-year-old will miss at least a few months (via ESPN’s Ben Baby on Twitter). Harris, a one-time Pro Bowler, has been with the organization since 2009. Cal Adomitis will get the first shot to replace Harris at long snapper.
- J.C. Jackson has been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Chiefs, and Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said earlier this week that the cornerback has a “50-50” shot at playing (per NFL Network’s James Palmer on Twitter). Jackson previously suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss the team’s Week 1 victory over the Raiders. After earning a second-team All-Pro nod with the Patriots in 2021, Jackson joined Los Angeles this offseason on a five-year, $82.5MM deal. Meanwhile, both Chargers wideout Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (ankle) have been ruled out for Thursday’s showdown.
- Mac Jones dealt with back spasms following the Patriots‘ Week 1 loss to the Dolphins, but the quarterback continues to improve, according to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi (on Twitter). A source told Giardi that the QB is “doing everything he needs to” in order to be on the field for this weekend’s matchup against the Steelers. Jones and the Patriots offense struggled during the season opener, with the second-year QB guiding New England to only one touchdown.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/13/22
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: TE Anthony Firkser
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on IR: CB Kyle Fuller (story), T Ja’Wuan James (story)
Carolina Panthers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Thomas Graham Jr.
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: CB Tony Brown
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: LB Jack Cochrane, LB Elijah Lee
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: RB Kyren Williams (story)
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: RB Ty Montgomery
- Promoted: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: DE Derek Barnett (story)
- Signed off Vikings’ practice squad: DE Janarius Robinson
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: S Tashaun Gipson
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: DL Da’Shawn Hand, DB A.J. Moore Jr.
Hand suffered a torn quad in the Titans’ opener, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). He is undergoing surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season. A former fourth-round Lions draftee back in 2018, Hand has been with the Titans since last year. He played two defensive snaps Sunday.
Montgomery had battled a knee injury during the run-up to the regular season, but the veteran passing-down back played in the Patriots’ Week 1 contest. Montgomery caught three passes for 15 yards in New England’s loss. The Pats signed Humphrey, a former Saints wideout, midway through the offseason.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/13/22
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad additions and subtractions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Koda Martin
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Dylan Mabin
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DB Harrison Hand
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Herb Miller, WR Chester Rogers
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Dominique Dafney
- Released: TE Dylan Parham
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB BoPete Keyes
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Darrell Baker Jr., S Henry Black, K Lucas Havrisik, K Chase McLaughlin (story)
- Released: G Arlington Hambright, S Will Redmond, CB Chris Wilcox
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Dicaprio Bootle, WR Corey Coleman
- Released: S James Wiggins
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: DT Kyle Peko
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DT Breiden Fehoko
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LS Matt Overton
- Placed on practice squad injured list: DB Daniel Isom
New Orleans Saints
- Released: WR Dai’Jean Dixon
New York Jets
- Signed: P Ty Long
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OLB Ryan Anderson (story), TE Rodney Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Keith Ismael, RB Marlon Mack (story)
- Released: OL Keaton Sutherland, WR Connor Wedington
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: TE J.J. Howland
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Nate Brooks
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Benning Potoa’e
- Released: S Ferrod Gardner
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/12/22
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: DT Mike Pennel
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted to active roster: LS Cal Adomitis
- Placed on IR: LS Clark Harris
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Herb Miller
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted to active roster: DL Christian Covington
- Waived: DL Breiden Fehoko
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on IR: OLB Alton Robinson
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Tanner Muse, LS Carson Tinker
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted to active roster: RB Trenton Cannon, LB Joe Jones
Washington Commanders
- Signed: NT Donovan Jeter
- Placed on IR: DT Phidarian Mathis
Robinson has been mostly a rotational defensive end with the Seahawks, but the Syracuse product has five sacks in his two seasons. Robinson suffered a knee injury in Seattle’s preseason finale. He can return after four games, though teams only have eight IR-return slots — way up from the pre-COVID NFL but down from the 2020 and ’21 unlimited IR-return setup — this season.
The Seahawks will be without their primary long snapper, Tyler Ott, on Monday night. Ott is out with a shoulder injury. Tinker has been an NFL snapper since 2013, and the veteran specialist has experience with Seahawks kicker Jason Myers. The duo played together in Jacksonville during the mid-2010s.
Keenan Allen Unlikely For Week 2?
9:50pm: In a postgame interview, Allen claimed he “possibly” can play in Week 2 after today’s hamstring injury, according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN. When reminded that the Chargers have a short week before their Thursday night matchup in Kansas City, Allen amended his “possibly” to a “small possibly.”
6:54pm: Los Angeles was rolling on offense before veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen left the game in the first half with an apparent hamstring injury. Allen pulled up in the middle of running a route, grabbed him hamstring, and limped directly off the field and to the blue medical tent. After initially being announced as questionable to return, he was quickly downgraded to “out,” according to Bridget Condon of NFL Network. 
Allen was a huge part of the Chargers’ early success on Sunday, reeling in four catches for 66 yards in less than two quarters of football. Without Allen in the second half, Los Angeles’ offense grew stagnant, allowing the Raiders to claw their way back into the game.
In Allen’s absence, quarterback Justin Herbert had to really spread out his targets. Newly re-signed Mike Williams is the obvious answer to step up with Allen out, but the Las Vegas defense mobbed Williams for much of the remainder of the game, forcing Herbert to find other targets to pass to. The running backs and tight ends got heavily involved in the passing game with Gerald Everett, Tre’ McKitty, Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, and Zander Horvath reeling in 14 receptions between the five of them.
Allen has been with the Chargers for nine years dating back to their time in San Diego. Even with Williams hot on his heels, Allen has been the leading receiver for the Chargers in every healthy season of his career, except for last season when Williams outgained Allen by eight yards. It’s unknown how much time Allen is expected to miss, but, in the meantime, the Chargers will count on wideouts DeAndre Carter, Joshua Palmer, and Jalen Guyton to open up the field for Williams.