EL SEGUNDO — Right guard Mekhi Becton made a surprise appearance during individual drills at the Chargers’ practice on Tuesday. After all, he hadn’t participated in any practices since July 28 because of what offensive coordinator Greg Roman described last month as an “extremely minor” injury.
Time is growing short if the Chargers expect Becton to be sound enough to play in their Sept. 5 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, though. Roman said after Tuesday’s practice, “Whatever time we have, we will use it, and I think he would be good to go.”
Becton’s extended absence coupled with Rashawn Slater’s season-ending knee injury has created uncertainty in the offensive line. The Chargers believed they solved some of their past issues by signing Becton as a free agent after he had a breakout 2024 season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jamaree Salyer moved into Becton’s spot at right guard and Trey Pipkins III was slotted into Joe Alt’s spot at right tackle after Alt flipped from right tackle to left to replace Slater. It meant enhanced roles for Salyer and Pipkins, who were expected to be backups when training camp began on July 17.
Salyer was to be a swing guard and Pipkins a swing tackle, but they have been asked to move into starting positions. Salyer will yield to Becton sooner rather than later, but Pipkins is likely to have the job until season’s end. Or until and unless the Chargers find someone more qualified.
However, Roman couldn’t say for certain when Becton might be ready to participate fully in practice let alone make his Chargers debut. After a rocky start to his NFL career, Becton excelled during the Eagles’ march to a Super Bowl championship last season, and the Chargers were only too happy to sign him.
“It was great to see him out there, engaging with everybody,” Roman said. “He’s been taking part in walk-throughs, which has been critical. He’s coming along. It’s great to have him out there. Just his presence, he brings a great presence to the group, a great, big physical presence, too.”
BACKUP BATTLE
Roman said that the backup quarterback battle still remains to be determined with two practices and one preseason game to be played before training camp ends at the end of this week. Trey Lance appears to have separated himself from Taylor Heinicke, last season’s backup, and DJ Uiagalelei.
Lance has played the majority of the snaps and led the Chargers in victories over the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints and during a one-point loss to the Rams on Saturday. Lance has completed 27 of 49 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception.
He also has rushed for a team-leading 81 yards on 14 attempts with one TD.
Heinicke has completed 7 of 16 passes for 64 yards. Uiagalelei has completed 3 of 4 passes for 74 yards.
“The whole quarterback room, I really like how those guys are competing,” Roman said. “I like how those guys are competing. Very much so. I don’t think anything has been settled yet. Trey is a very talented guy. I think we’ve all seen him with the team play well. Taylor Heinicke has had really good success in this league. He’s won some big games. They’re both out there. They’re not necessarily playing with the starters. Preseason games, it can get a little leaky sometimes, so all those things we’ve got to factor in(to an evaluation of a player).”
Roman said no decision had been made as to who would play in the Chargers’ preseason finale on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers. Lance, Heinicke and Justin Herbert have each started one game so far. Herbert played only one series in the 23-22 loss to the Rams.
“We haven’t determined that yet,” Roman said. “We’ll get together later this week and figure that out.”
EXTRA POINTS
Wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who sustained a concussion on the third play of Saturday’s game, was a sideline observer on Tuesday. He remained in concussion protocol and it was unclear when he would exit it and return to the practice field. He was hurt when he fell and struck his head on the turf. …
Running back Najee Harris continued to increase the intensity of his sideline workouts. He hasn’t joined his Chargers teammates for a practice yet after suffering what his agent termed a “superficial” eye injury during a fireworks accident on July 4 at his home in the Bay Area city of Antioch.