Jim Harbaugh will be back on the NFL sideline for the first time in a decade, but will enter Saturday’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks without their star quarterback, Justin Herbert.
The most intriguing question of the game at SoFi Stadium: How will the Chargers’ offense perform without him?
At this stage of the preseason, Harbaugh and his offensive staff have focused solely on pregame progress.
Harbaugh expects a strong effort… at least that’s what he’s eager to see.
“I can’t wait to see our guys compete,” Harbaugh said. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Read more: For Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, preseason opener vs. Seattle is just the beginning
What to watch for in the Chargers’ preseason opener:
Can quarterbacks deliver?
Herbert has missed games in each of the last two seasons, so the chargers I need to assess whether Easton Vara – 0-4 as a starter last season – could lead the team in his absence.
Harbaugh is confident in Stick’s abilities and plans to allow him to prove himself on the first-team offense.
“I’m going to tell him to try and let it go,” Harbaugh said.
He noted that Stick showed significant improvement in the days leading up to the matchup against Seattle. He’ll start and Harbaugh expects him to play a quarter and a half, or about 20 to 30 plays. After Stick, Max Duggan will take over, with Casey Bauman and Luis Perez, signed last Tuesday, also scheduled to receive snaps.
Read more: Kickers attacking? You’ll See Them Forced to Try Under NFL’s New Starting Rules
Harbaugh mentioned that Perez was brought in to encourage competition among quarterbacks. Hello, Duggan and Bauman. Harbaugh made it clear that hiring Perez was a message for them to “step up their game.”
“I thought Easton had no competition,” Harbaugh said. “The only way to make someone better is to get some competition.”
Who’s inside? Who’s out?
With preseason games, questions arise about how many starters and veterans will be in action. Harbaugh gave a little insight into his plan.
“Some starters will play,” he said, “some starters won’t.”
He mentioned that some key players on offense and defense will be sitting. Both starting edge rushers, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, will be absent. Bosa left the field during a joint practice with the Rams last week with what observers considered a wrist injury. He hasn’t practiced since.
On offense, Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, who missed Thursday’s practice, will not play. Their absence will provide opportunities for Jaret Patterson, Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller.
Harbaugh confirmed that “a few others” will also be detained, without offering details.
All hands on deck
With former receivers Keenan Allen (now with the Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (now with the New York Jets) moving on, Joshua Palmer has assumed the No. 1 role. He has spent the last two seasons as at least the third receiver and many He was a starter several times due to injuries.
Offseason free agent signing DJ Chark has impressed and is currently the other starter along with last year’s first round pick, Quentin Johnstonwho seeks to recover after a debut campaign marked by declines.
Harbaugh expressed his admiration for the depth and competition in the receiving corps.
The Chargers drafted Ladd McConkey, who returned to practice Thursday, in the second round of the NFL draft to bolster their receiving group. Brenden Rice, son of the legendary Jerry Rice, was also a hit at camp. Derius Davis, the second-year receiver who served primarily as a returner last season, is also in the mix.
All-new defense
Last season, the Chargers ranked 24th in points allowed (23.4 per game), 17th against the run (113.2 yards) and 30th against the pass (380 yards).
These struggles led to a reshuffling of the technical team, with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter brought in to construct a “bully” identity.
Under Minter’s guidance, the Chargers’ defense – especially the secondary – has consistently picked off passes in camp and shown a hawk mentality.
Saturday could be the first time fans see the secondary quartet of cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton play alongside safeties Derwin James Jr. If this is the season-opening group, it will be interesting to see how they fit into the new system.
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25571280/2408_Home_007578fb33c931bba638.png?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Microsoft is making its Windows Game Bar more portable-friendly")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25550927/pixel_fold_9_google.png?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Google Pixel 9 event: start time and how to watch"){kind=tracking}
