EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers ruled out safety Elijah Molden for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, which means Tony Jefferson will slot into his spot for the second consecutive game when the Chargers take the field at SoFi Stadium for the first time this season. Molden’s injured hamstring would only allow him to work out on the sideline this week.
Judging by Jefferson’s play in the Chargers’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, Molden’s spot as a depth safety behind Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman is in very capable hands. Jefferson had five tackles and one of the Chargers’ three interceptions of Geno Smith on Monday.
Unexpected?
Hardly.
Jefferson has proven to be an invaluable player in a defense that has been superb during defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s 19 regular-season games on the job. Jefferson, 33, came out of retirement last season and made the team after spending the 2023 season as a scout with the Baltimore Ravens.
“It’s exactly how I thought he would play,” Minter said of Jefferson’s showing during the Chargers’ 20-9 victory over the Raiders. “I thought he played really well in the preseason, you know, the roster crunch was what it was. He knew exactly what would potentially happen if something happened to one of our guys.
“He was going to be playing.”
That’s precisely what happened in the days leading up to the Chargers’ game against the Raiders. Molden hurt his hamstring during practice and was sidelined for Monday night’s game. He spent practice this week working out on the sideline while his teammates prepared to face the Broncos on Sunday.
So, exit Molden and enter Jefferson.
Again.
“We really didn’t miss a beat,” Minter said. “(Jefferson) went out there and did what he’s been doing, really, since he’s been here, taking advantage of the opportunity. He’s been in the right spot, bringing a great veteran presence to the back end. Elijah is such a commander out there and you don’t want to lose any of that.
“Tony, all of a sudden, is in there (and playing well). So, it’s unbelievable to have a guy like that.”
That’s to say, Jefferson played up to the standards and expectations of a Chargers’ defense that has given up an average of 15 points per game in victories over the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, the Chargers led the NFL by giving up only 17.7 points per game.
COMEBACK CHALLENGE
Coach Jim Harbaugh was asked if he could have completed a comeback like the one Jefferson made to the NFL after Harbaugh played his final game with the then-San Diego Chargers during the 2000 season. He revealed he didn’t think about the NFL, but said he reached out to the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League.
Harbaugh was coaching at the University of San Diego at the time and believed he could coach college football in the fall and play arena football in the spring during the same calendar year. Not surprisingly, it didn’t work out.
“I can’t remember exactly what happened,” he said. “Just got into spring ball (at USD) and recruiting and then there was just too much work to do with coaching. (The Avengers) might have called me back. I just dropped it. I was full speed into coaching at that time.”
PRAISING JAMES
Harbaugh called James “the best safety I’ve ever seen in the history of the National Football League. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb there. He is one of the most incredible players I’ve ever watched.”
Joe Lombardi, the Broncos’ offensive coordinator, knows a thing or two about facing James. After all, Lombardi held the same job with the Chargers before moving on to the Broncos after the 2022 season. Lombardi had an up-close look at James every day in practice.
“He’s the nickel, he’s the dime, he’s a safety,” Lombardi said, listing James’ many roles in the Chargers’ many defensive alignments. “So, just keeping track of where he is (is a challenge).”