Below are three takeaways from Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback Justin Herbert and more following the Week 6 road win against the Broncos:
Bolts rookies shine in Week 6
The Chargers rookies arrived in Denver ready to play in Week 6.
Six of the Bolts rookies saw a major role in Sunday's 23-16 win against the division-rival Broncos — Joe Alt, Ladd McConkey, Junior Colson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart and Kimani Vidal.
And the contributions from all six went a long way in moving the Chargers to 3-2 on the season.
"We have a lot of pride," Vidal said about the rookies. "We said toward the end of camp that our rookie year was over now.
"We had learned the playbook and were just a part of the team now," he added.
The Bolts welcomed a couple of players back into the mix with Alt, who missed the last game with a knee injury, and Colson, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
McConkey, meanwhile, continued to be a reliable target for Justin Herbert and the pass game finishing the game tied for a team-high four catches for 43 yards.
But perhaps the biggest contributions came from some rookies who have seen limited action thus far.
Rookie running back Kimani Vidal was active for the first time all season in Denver after Gus Edwards was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
And in his first NFL touch midway through the first quarter, the sixth-round pick was able to beat his defender down the right side and haul in his first NFL touchdown and give the Bolts an early double-digit lead.
"We kind of sped broke the [huddle]," Vidal said. "I was able to end up open on a little wheel route. I looked back and the ball was there and I scored."
He later added: "I was just excited, I almost blacked out from emotion. I still don't even know what I did after the play. It was just great."
Vidal, Troy's all-time (4,010), single-season (1,661) and single-game (248) rushing record holder, finished the afternoon with 11 rushing yards and two receptions for 40 receiving yards.
Although it was his first NFL action, his teammates were far from surprised from what he was able to show since he's arrived.
And with his first game under his belt, it's just the beginning of the road for the rookie sixth rounder.
"It was awesome," Herbert said about Vidal. "He's made so many plays and it is awesome for him on his first touchdown like that and be able to make a big play like that.
"We've kind of seen it on film the prior weeks of an opportunity like that," Herbert added. "We stuck on him, he made a great catch and a great run with it."
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh added: "I think that's been the great progression. Now he's in there in the games. We're going to be able to trust him a lot more now, and he continues to be able to protect the ball, make the play and then protection… I thought he acquitted himself well that way as well."
Just like Vidal stepped up in his position group due to injuries, same could be said for both Hart and Still who were instrumental in the secondary against the Broncos.
Hart got the starting nod at outside cornerback after Asante Samuel, Jr., was placed on Injured Reserve Saturday and tied the team-high with 55 defensive snaps.
The Chargers rookie cornerback had played in every game so far but primarily on special teams, minus a handful of late defensive snaps in the Week 2's blowout win in Carolina.
Hart was tasked with the start Sunday and held his own in his first extended run in the NFL.
"I was pumped up for him," Still said of Hart. "I told him before the game, 'Bro, let's go. It's time.' He played a great game and showed great composure. He trusted the game plan the coaches gave for him."
Still was also relied upon for his second start in the slot after Ja'Sir Taylor was inactive once again.
The fellow fifth-round pick's highlight of the game came late in the first quarter, when he played a third down deep ball perfectly to break up the pass and force a punt.
"Coach Minter told me before the game that your second game is usually light years better than the first time," Still said. "The game slowed down and I was just seeing things well."
It was a big day for the rookies, who will continue to progress as they get more and more NFL action.
"Pretty good. Pretty good throughout most of the game," Harbaugh said about the pair of rookie corners. "Didn't find the route a couple of times there at the end, got beat on some dig routes, but great learning experience for them."
Offense keys in on 3rd downs
Staying ahead of the chains and converting third downs was one of the keys the offense harped on coming out of the bye.
In the first game back, it was a step in the right direction.
The Bolts jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first two quarters of play thanks in large part to what they were able to do on key money downs, converting eight of 10 third down tries in the first half.
"I thought we did a good job of converting those third downs," Herbert said after the game.
Five out the eight first half conversions came through the air, as Herbert picked apart the Denver defense for crucial gains to keep drives moving.
He found a particularly great connection with Joshua Palmer a handful of times in the first half that gave the offense some momentum.
On a third-and 9 backed up in their own territory, Herbert found an open Palmer over the middle for 24 yards. The drive would end up in a touchdown.
Then again later in the game, Herbert found Palmer for a gain of 14 yards on third-and 8 on a drive that would end up in a field goal.
"I think that's one of the most important things about offensive ball, it's converting on third downs," Herbert said. "When we're able to do that, you're able to drive down the field."
In total, the Chargers offense finished the day 11 out of 18 on third-down opportunities.
And while it was a good step forward for the offense, the unit hopes to take away some areas of improvement from the performance.
"I think the ultimate goal is to score touchdowns when you get down in the red zone," Herbert said. "I feel like we left some points out there.
"It's on us to be able to convert in the red zone," Herbert added. "Third downs are a huge part of it."
Bolts depth tested
It was all hands on deck for the Chargers and their depth throughout the game.
The Bolts were missing some pieces heading into Week 6, as previously noted, and had to reshuffle as the game went on as well.
"We were kind of struggling with some of our own guys coming in and out," Harbaugh said.
The Bolts had 21 players play at least a snap in Week 6 on the offensive side of the ball.
Wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey left the game early and eventually returned. Tight end Hayden Hurst also left the game in the first half, but he did not return.
Still, it was players like Derius Davis, Simi Fehoko, who led the team in receiving yards, Stone Smartt and Eric Tomlinson that stepped right in and were able to keep the offense churning.
It was big contributions from all that helped the Bolts overcome the attrition throughout the game.
"It was good to see Quentin come back, Ladd he was working through a couple things, him to come back," Harbaugh said. "We were trying to get the personnel right. Simi Fehoko stepped up and made a big play for us.
"I thought we did a good job keeping it off balance too," Harbaugh added. "Some great calls in there with the screens. The running came and the passing game were very complimentary today. It was good, I liked the way it was going."
The Chargers defense, meanwhile, had 18 different players log at least a snap.
Deane Leonard, who was questionable with a hamstring injury, played but ended up missing the majority of the game and Kristian Fulton, who was questionable with a knee injury, left the game in the second half.
It led to some moving pieces, especially in the secondary, but something the Bolts were able to figure out with big contributions from others.
"During the game, we had some guys go down and we were shifted into different positions," safety Elijah Molden said. "That's huge credit for them, because they didn't necessarily get the reps at that position in practice, but then last minute they got to adjust. Huge shoutout to them, I'm proud of them."
