Dicker Embraces Bigger Role as Bolts Look Ahead to Cards

Nov 23, 2022 at 03:33 PM

Below are three takeaways from Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley, safety Derwin James, Jr. and kicker Cameron Dicker from Wednesday's media sessions:

Dicker ready after Hopkins moved to IR

The Chargers took the practice field on Wednesday afternoon with a new kicker on the active roster.

On Tuesday afternoon, the team announced kicker Cameron Dicker was moving to the active roster from the practice squad. The Bolts also placed kicker Dustin Hopkins on Injured Reserve with a hamstring issue, meaning Hopkins will be out for at least the next four games.

"He just didn't make enough progress to get back," Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley said Wednesday about Hopkins. "[Hopkins] just wasn't making good enough progress for him to come back and kick so moved him to IR and keep Cam as apart of our football team."

According to Staley, Hopkins suffered a setback after kicking last Friday that led to the move being made.

In terms of a timetable for his return, it remains unknown as of right now.

"I don't know," Staley said. "I'm not going to speculate on that at this point."

But Staley also noted that Dicker's performance played a role, too.

"Both things are true," Staley said.

This means Dicker will continue to be the team's kicker while Hopkins remains out — something the rookie kicker has excelled at thus far.

Even after having a more set role rather than being elevated from the practice squad, Dicker's mindset continues to remain the same.

"Still kick-by-kick," Dicker said. "I'm rolling with it and doing the best I can for the team.

"I feel good," Dicker later added. "The team was very welcoming to me so it's cool to be in here now in a more so full-time role. But everyone has been awesome."

A perfect 7-for-7 on field goals with the Bolts, Dicker's transition to the team has been made easier by the help he's received from many different players on the roster.

"JK [Scott], Josh [Harris] and Dustin [Hopkins]. Even Taylor [Bertolet]," Dicker said. "Everyone has helped out with everything I've needed."

Does being on the active roster help settle him down?

Dicker says "a little bit", especially considering how the last couple weeks have gone for him. From winning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in his Chargers debut to now, Dicker is enjoying it and taking it all in.

"It's been fun and been crazy," Dicker said. "It's just a blessing to be able to play football. To do it for work is a pretty cool thing to do.

"It's just been full of blessings for myself and it's been really fun," Dicker added.

Preparing for a talented Cardinals team

Sitting at 5-5 and ninth in the AFC, every game from here on out will be crucial for the Chargers to stay in the playoff hunt.

Currently on a two-game skid, they look to get back in the win column this Sunday in Arizona.

Despite their 4-7 record, the Cardinals still have a good team that has suffered through many injuries, making them a dangerous opponent, according to Staley.

"I think that they have encountered a lot of challenges this year, in terms of being cleaned out by injuries," Staley said. "They are still a very dangerous team. They have played everybody really tough. The season is not over yet. They still have a really good team.

"They are a very dangerous team and there is a reason why people thought of them that way, because they have a good enough team to beat you," Staley later added. "We're going to have to be at our best on Sunday, for sure."

Specifically on offense, the Cardinals have one of the better QB-WR combos in the NFL. With Arizona set to get their quarterback Kyler Murray back, the Cardinals offense will get a big boost.

Murray's ability to move around and scramble makes him one of the tougher quarterbacks to defend. But safety Derwin James, Jr. added that while he does do those things, it's the way he does it that presents a different skillset compared to other scrambling quarterbacks.

"He's different because I feel like he's smaller, more elusive, quicker," James said. "He's always looking down the field. I feel like Kyler presents his own challenges."