COSTA MESA — Chargers coach Brandon Staley said he wanted competition at many positions for training camp and that has led to a few surprise battles through the first four days of the summer practices.
The most unexpected camp battle has been between Uchenna Nwosu and Kyler Fackrell for the No. 2 edge rusher position.
Nwosu, the 2018 second-round pick, was expected to start next to Joey Bosa and fill the vacancy left by Melvin Ingram, but he has been splitting first-team reps with Fackrell, the free-agent newcomer from the New York Giants.
Fackrell received the bulk of the first-team reps Saturday when there was a four-man defensive line. Fackrell played next to Bosa, defensive tackle Justin Jones and nose tackle Linval Joseph.
“It’s competitive every day,” Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said Saturday about Fackrell and Nwosu. “We put up rep charts, so we don’t even put up any depth charts. So, we’re going to let those guys go, you know, fight it out. And the best thing about this defense is that we play so many multiple packages that we’re going to need every last one of those guys.”
Nwosu, the former USC standout, has had flashes of being a defensive playmaker, but has been inconsistent since joining the Chargers. He’ll need to prove to the new coaching staff that he’s ready to be a productive starting edge rusher in the NFL because it seems like Fackrell has gained the trust of the coaches with his versatility.
Fackrell, 29, is a sixth-year veteran who spent the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers.
“Experience,” Hill said when asked what Fackrell adds to the team. “I saw a guy in Green Bay, who’s a sack monster, then you turn back and go to New York and now you got a guy playing in coverage and picking the ball off. So, he gives you a guy with experience, flexibility, things that we need in this defense, and he’s gonna be a good piece for us.”
Here are six more observations that stood out during the first week of Chargers training camp. The team is off Sunday and returns Monday for the first padded practice of camp:
RUNNING BACK POSITIONING
It didn’t take long for running back Justin Jackson to get caught up after missing the first training camp practice because he was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Jackson returned Thursday and received plenty of first-team snaps the rest of the week. He made a handful of positive plays and it’s clear he’s No. 2 on the current running back depth chart behind Austin Ekeler heading into the second week of camp.
“He’s a very smart player,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said about Jackson. “He’s very trustworthy. As a coach, there are some guys that no matter how you tell it to them, they get it. He’s a really fast learner with a lot of football common sense. I have high expectations for him.”
Running backs Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III could gain ground on Jackson when the pads come out because they’re physical runners.
EXPLOSIVE PLAYMAKER
Wide receiver Tyron Johnson picked up where he left off last summer.
The speedy wideout had many dynamic plays with a rookie Justin Herbert last summer on the second team, but it wasn’t enough to keep him on the initial 53-man roster.
Johnson’s roster spot is likely safe this summer because he continues to have a strong connection with Herbert. The two had many downfield plays during the first week of camp.
Johnson has split first-team reps with Jalen Guyton as the third wideout, but rookie Josh Palmer gained ground Saturday with his best practice of camp.
Another Herbert to Tyron Johnson bomb today. What’s new? #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) July 31, 2021
BACKUP QB BATTLE
Easton Stick and Chase Daniel took turns as the No. 2 quarterback behind Herbert.
Daniel made the most of his opportunities and has used his experience as an advantage. The 13-year veteran is familiar with Lombardi’s offense because of their time together with the New Orleans Saints.
Stick has been shaky with his throws, but his athleticism could help him when the preseason games arrive.
PARHAM’S IMPROVEMENTS
Tight end Donald Parham Jr. appears to be more than a 6-foot-8 red-zone target this summer.
Parham has gotten open often with improved route running and the coaching staff has applauded his improvements with blocking. He could see an increase in snaps this season if he continues his rapid progress.
ROOKIE UPDATES
Many had Asante Samuel Jr. penciled in as the third cornerback next to Michael Davis and Chris Harris Jr., but this year’s second-round pick has plenty of competition for the role.
Samuel started camp with the second and third teams, but he saw an increase in snaps with the first team for the past two practices. Brandon Facyson has received the bulk of the first-team reps as the second outside cornerback whenever Harris plays slot cornerback.
The defense didn’t rush Bosa often to test first-round rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater, but that’s expected to change when the pads are on next week.
Rookie Mark Webb has impressed the coaching staff as a versatile defensive back. He’s competing with Alohi Gilman as the third safety, but Webb has also received reps as a cornerback in nickel and dime packages.
NUMEROUS RETURNERS
The battle for kickoff and punt returners won’t officially start until the pads are out, but the Chargers have entered numerous candidates for the vacancies.
Johnson, Guyton, K.J. Hill and Austin Proehl all received punt return snaps Saturday. They’re also in the mix for kick returner along with Joe Reed, Nasir Adderley, Jackson and Michael Bandy.
SATURDAY’S CAMP NOTES
Second-year linebacker Kenneth Murray said his shoulder feels “1,000 percent” after having offseason surgery in January. Murray said it’s been an adjustment learning the new defensive scheme, but added that he’s practicing at a faster pace compared to his first training camp last summer. …
Wide receiver Mike Williams, who was sporting a new haircut, said he’s not thinking about his contract situation. He’s in the final year of rookie deal. “(It’s) not really (on my mind),” Williams said. “I feel like if I handle my business on the field, everything else will happen on its own. I’m just going to handle my responsibility on the field.” …
Cornerback Ryan Smith returned to practice after missing the past two days because of a lower body issue.
The legend Antonio Gates at #Chargers camp pic.twitter.com/5V5tfpWETE
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) July 31, 2021
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