COSTA MESA — Frustrated? Yes, the Chargers are frustrated.
Disappointed? Of course they are after two losses to start the season.
Angry? Maybe a little.
Defiant? Definitely.
Panicky? No, absolutely not.
All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. ran through the five stages of the Chargers’ moods after they returned to the practice field Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis. He frowned as he met with reporters, but he smiled, too.
All is not lost, he insisted.
There are 15 games still to play, plenty of chances to bounce back after starting the season with narrow defeats to the Miami Dolphins in the season opener at SoFi Stadium and in Week 2 to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Mistakes are correctable, improvements can and must be made immediately.
“Definitely been frustrating,” James said of the Chargers’ 0-2 start. “We haven’t gotten the results that we wanted, but we’re going to keep working hard. We’re not panicking. We’re not quitting. We’re not turning our backs on each other. We’re going to continue to get better each and every week.”
James said there was a sense of urgency to avoid a 0-3 start.
He said the defense was close to fulfilling its potential, but wasn’t quite there yet.
He said their faith was as strong as it’s been despite the lackluster results.
After two weeks, the Chargers are 32nd in the NFL defensively.
The Chargers also rank fourth in offense.
That disconnect helps to explain their record after a 36-34 loss to the Dolphins and a 27-24 overtime defeat to the Titans last weekend. It’s become a point of pride for the Chargers’ defense to improve its play, to catch up and match the efficiency and effectiveness of the offense.
“I’ve got all the faith in the world,” James said. “Everybody is focused on the results. Like I’ve said, we know the sense of urgency that we have to get. We’re going to play harder and continue to get better. We got better (Wednesday) on the practice field. I have all the confidence in the world in all of my guys.”
Historically, it’s been a tough climb from a 0-2 start to a playoff berth, however. Since the 2000 season, only 18 of 187 teams that started 0-2 made it to the playoffs, according to stats compiled by TruMedia. The Cincinnati Bengals did it last season (the NFL expanded the postseason from 12 to 14 teams ahead of the 2020 season), rebounding to advance to the AFC championship game.
Only six teams have made it to the playoffs after a 0-3 start.
So, it would seem Sunday’s game is a must-win for the Chargers.
And for the Vikings (0-2), too.
“You can’t look at who’s going 0-2,” James said of the prospects of facing an equally desperate team Sunday. “There might be some teams that start 4-0 and they can get an injury and their whole season goes. You never know in this league, you have to keep playing them all the same. We’re going to keep doing that.”
INJURY REPORT
Running back Austin Ekeler didn’t practice with his teammates, but he was on the field watching them go through drills during the portion of the workout observed by reporters. Ekeler suffered an ankle injury during the Chargers’ loss to the Dolphins and didn’t practice or play in Week 2.
“No updates, no timeline,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks didn’t practice because of a hamstring injury. He also didn’t practice last week and didn’t play against the Titans, and Staley didn’t provide a timeframe for his return to the field except to say he was “working his way back, though.” Kendrick spent eight seasons with the Vikings.
Edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack were on the field for practice but worked out on the sidelines with members of the athletic training staff. Bosa was listed on the injury report as participating in a limited fashion because of a hamstring injury. Mack was listed as having been given a rest day.
Additionally, wide receiver Mike Williams (ankle) participated fully.