EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — New Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said he looked forward to seeing his newest student, Justin Herbert, in action for the first time executing his offense against a defense from another team.
Well, in a joint practice at team headquarters against the San Francisco 49ers, the Oregon product did not disappoint, connecting on big plays with Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Omarion Hampton and free-agent pickup David Njoku on Tuesday.
And on the side, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy admitted that his team’s offense fell short against the Chargers’ defense.
According to San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, his offense didn’t fare much better against LA.’s defense.
“Honestly, I don’t think it was our best day,” Purdy said about the offense. “I feel like fundamentals and stuff were just a little off and whatnot. Obviously, there was some good stuff and stuff we need to work on. But I just feel like we could have come out with a little bit more of a chip on our shoulder offensively.”
The Chargers will take early training camp success, but we’ll see if that translates into wins when this franchise traditionally struggles — in December and January.
Here are my four takeaways from the highly competitive but controlled practice that included no fights, unlike San Francisco’s feisty joint practice session last week against the Tennessee Titans.
1. C Tyler Biadasz One Of Few Chargers Players Injured
It was not all good news for the Bolts, as free-agent pickup and starting center Tyler Biadasz had to leave the field early during practice on a cart due to a leg injury suffered when left guard Kayode Awosika threw his man into the back of his leg.
Biadasz was visibly frustrated as he was carted away.
Rookie second-round pick Jake Slaughter replaced Biadasz in the starting lineup. The Florida product had been part of a crowded group of players competing for the starting left guard job but could be the answer for the Bolts at center if Biadasz is out long-term.
“I just take it as a blessing that I can help the team in any way that I can,” Slaughter said about the possibility of starting in place of Biadasz.
Tyler Biadasz (right) was one of the Chargers’ big offseason pickups. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images)
One of L.A.’s big free-agent additions, it would be a significant blow to the offensive line to lose the anchor up front for a group that played without bookend offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt for most of last season. Slater has already missed over a week of training camp this year because of a leg injury, with Trey Pipkins taking his spot at left tackle.
Johnston also had to leave practice with what appeared to be a right leg injury suffered diving for a ball out of bounds. However, after getting evaluated by team medical staff, Johnston returned to the field but did not practice.
Finally, for the 49ers, Mike Evans had to leave practice with tightness. Evans was observed icing his quad afterwards, which he injured earlier this month. Fellow free agent signee receiver Christian Kirk remains out with a calf injury.
“They just said he had some tightness, so we were just being smart in taking him out,” San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said about Evans. “I don’t think it’s anything worse, so we’ll see when we get in there, but nothing that I’m worried about right now.”
2. Herbert Commands Offense, Will Start Preseason Game vs. 49ers
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Herbert and the rest of the starters on offense and defense will play for the first time during the preseason against San Francisco, getting in for at least a series.
However, Harbaugh had to like what he saw from Herbert and the rest of the offense, who consistently carved up San Francisco’s offense for big plays.
“When you see live reps, that’s really important for us as an offense,” Herbert said. “We go up against our defense so much, and there’s only a level of speed that you can go when you’re not tackling and you’re just thudding up.
“I think it’s great to see another defense. More reps for us to see different defenses, different coverages. So, I thought it was great for the offensive line, the receiver and everyone else as well.”
Justin Herbert (right) is in his first season working with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel (left). (Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
While Herbert heated up, the Chargers struggled to block new 49ers defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who had a handful of pressures.
3. Chargers RB Omarion Hampton Busts Out The Truck Stick
Along with Herbert, the second-year running back out of North Carolina had back-to-back plays where he lowered the boom on San Francisco defenders. On the first play, Hampton broke through a big hole in the middle of the line and bowled over 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown.
And in the following play, Hampton hit the left sideline, blowing up linebacker Jaden Dugger as he angled to the sideline.
Along with creating a more complex passing game, McDaniel has been tasked with bringing more physicality in the running game. And the Chargers accomplished that by consistently creating creases for Hampton to break through the line of scrimmage and make defenders pay at the second level of the defense.
“He’s incredibly tough,” Herbert said. “He leads by example. He doesn’t say much, but what he does on the field is loud, and guys respect him.
4. Christian McCaffrey Not Holding In, According To Shanahan
Shanahan addressed speculation that All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey was not practicing because he wanted his contract sweetened after Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs signed record-setting extensions for running backs.
However, Shanahan assured reporters after practice that McCaffrey was out due to tightness, not unhappiness with his current deal.
“I mean, people make a lot of assumptions,” Shanahan said. “And that would be one they’re wrong on.”
Christian McCaffrey hasn’t practiced in over a week. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Shanahan went on to say that if it were game week, McCaffrey would be available for practice. However, San Francisco’s head coach would not divulge the injury.
“Just some tightness,” Shanahan said. “He’ll get sensitive if I say where.”
With McCaffrey out, rookie Kaelon Black looked strong running the football.
