EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers didn’t hold a pity party when they returned to the practice field on Wednesday, after starting the season 0-2 and raising doubts about reversing the course of their play with the toughest part of their season upcoming, starting Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
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“I trust those guys in the locker room, so I don’t think anyone has panicked or is worried because that’s not going to do us any good,” quarterback Justin Herbert said Wednesday. “It’s moving on to the next play and understanding we’re close. We’ve made mistakes and how do we fix them?”
In other words, don’t expect head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to rip up the playbook and scrap what they’ve been teaching since spring practices. Don’t expect the Chargers to overthink their offensive game plan despite outside criticism about its failures so far.
It’s about executing the game plan better, according to Herbert.
It’s about putting in the work, according to Harbaugh.
McDaniel is scheduled to speak with reporters on Thursday and, given his penchant for conducting extended question-and-answer sessions, it’s likely that he will have a good deal more to say than either Herbert or Harbaugh. McDaniel tends to go deep on subjects great and small.
Perhaps the biggest criticism facing the Chargers from pundits from near and far is that McDaniel’s offense is too complex and must be simplified so Herbert can perform to the level expected by so many when the Herbert-McDaniel union was established inn January.
It was anticipated that the Chargers’ offense would reach or exceed the lofty expectations placed on it when Herbert was drafted with the sixth overall pick in 2020. McDaniel is the Chargers’ fifth offensive coordinator in Herbert’s seven seasons in the NFL. He had three coordinators while in college at Oregon.
However, the opposite has happened during losses to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 and the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 by matching scores of 26-14, continuing a trend that began near the end of last season. The Chargers have failed to score more than two touchdowns in a game in five consecutive games, losing all five.
So far this season, Herbert has completed 59.3% of his passes, down from his career average of 66.4%. He has averaged 200 passing yards per game, down from his career average of 260. His passer rating of 71.6 is down from his career average of 95.9.
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It’s about executing the game plan better, Herbert repeated.
It’s about putting in the work,” Harbaugh repeated.
“One-hundred percent, the vibe I got from the players and the coaches, too, when we got back to work, was just more interested in work than talking,” Harbaugh said. “So, that’s what we’re doing. Forward, full steam ahead and, yeah, work harder and work smarter, and work.”
Fun fact: Only two of 123 teams that started 0-3 have advanced to the playoffs in the 21st century, per a graphic shown Wednesday on the FS1 sports network.
INJURY UPDATES
As expected, the Chargers placed tight end David Njoku on injured reserve on Wednesday because of a knee injury suffered in the opening seconds of the second quarter on Sunday against the Raiders. He must sit out for at least four games or until after the Chargers’ bye week in Week 7.
However, Harbaugh said tight end Charlie Kolar would not need to be placed on IR after undergoing surgery Monday on his injured forearm. Harbaugh said Kolar would not practice and wasn’t likely to play Sunday against the Bills. Kolar’s return to action was still to be determined.
Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring), safety Elijah Molden (hamstring), offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III (knee), wide receiver Brenen Thompson (quadricep), left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), safety Derwin James Jr. (rest) and outside linebacker Khalil Mack (rest) also didn’t practice.
The Chargers have four players on IR: Njoku, center Tyler Biadasz, wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith and linebacker Denzel Perryman. Biadasz injured his knee during training camp and is out for the rest of the season. Njoku’s status remains to be determined. The other two are expected back sooner than later.
ROSTER MOVES
In addition to signing tight end Hayden Rucci to the active roster from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on Tuesday, the Chargers also signed veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their 53-man roster. Valdes-Scantling was signed to the practice squad last week.
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The Chargers also signed long snapper Spencer Triplett to the practice squad.