Skip to main content
Advertising

Chargers Official Site | Los Angeles Chargers - chargers.com

Camp Report: Justin Herbert Delivers in 2-Minute Drill

CR6

The Chargers held their longest practice of camp yet on Tuesday, going for two hours in full pads in El Segundo.

The Bolts will practice again Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Here is the Chargers Camp Report from Tuesday's practice:

1. Herbert, Palmer come up clutch

Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh put the pressure on his players Tuesday with a 2-minute drill scenario in the middle of practice.

Justin Herbert and Joshua Palmer made sure to deliver.

The offense started at their own 20-yard line with 1 minute and 50 seconds on the clock and two timeouts.

Herbert and the offense quickly moved the ball as he found Stone Smartt, Palmer, DJ Chark and Hayden Hurst on four straight completions.

After a pair of incompletions, the unit faced third-and-10 before Herbert stepped up to fire a roughly 25-yard touchdown to a wide open Palmer.

The play didn't come without a cost, however, as Jamaree Salyer was banged up and left practice after the play.

With Rashawn Slater not partaking in 11-on-11 drills, the Bolts had to mix and match their first-team offensive line numerous times.

Initially, the starting group of Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Trey Pipkins III and Joe Alt were together in a 9-on-7 drill.

Pipkins then took Slater's place in the drill as Salyer came in at right guard. Later in practice, Alt took reps at left tackle while Pipkins was on the right side.

Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman said after practice that Alt's flexibility and willingness to play both sides has been good to see so far in camp.

"I think you've got to be able to play both sides. Some guys struggle with one more than the other," Roman said. "Obviously, he's played more left so he's a little bit more comfortable in his stance. Really just, 'Hey Joe, you're playing right' OK, [gets] in the stance and play football. Working hard at it.

"You've got to love the linemen that don't make a big deal out of it ... he's excited about it. The flexibility is huge," Roman added. "The O-line, you know how that goes it could be a bunch of different scenarios and you better be prepared in the eventuality. Really excited about his versatility and the fact he doesn't blink."

The Bolts then turned to a fourth combination when Salyer went out, as Bozeman moved to right guard and Brenden Jaimes came in at center.

As for the second-team offense in the 2-minute drill, Easton Stick got his unit into field goal range before Cameron Dicker trotted on to make a 44-yard field goal.

Dicker, who went 11-for-11 in Saturday's practice, made all nine of his kicks on Tuesday.

The Bolts did a kicking only session where Dicker hit eight straight field goals ranging from 33 yards (extra point) to 45 yards.

Dicker, who has made all 20 field goals in team drills so far in camp, wasn't even fazed when Denzel Perryman borrowed a mini cowbell from a fan and tried to rattle the kicker during his kicks.

2. Starters thrive on 3rd downs

The Chargers spent a latter portion of Tuesday's session working on third-down scenarios.

The starters on both sides of the ball went against backups and promptly dominated.

Herbert opened the third-down drill by lofting a 55-yard touchdown to Chark that drew loud cheers from fans.

"He's been a Pro Bowl player and I sense a hunger in him, too," Roman said about Chark. "It's showing every day."

Herbert's group ended up completing three of four tries on third down, as he also moved the chains with passes to Quentin Johnston and Jaret Patterson.

The Bolts defense, meanwhile, clamped down and didn't allow a third-down conversion on five plays.

The unit forced a pair of incompletions and tackled a player short of the sticks before Asante Samuel, Jr. provided the highlight of the session with a pass breakup against Jaelen Gill.

Perryman kept the Bolts perfect on third downs by stopping the ball carrier short of the sticks on the final play.

3. Edwards makes progress

Chargers running back Gus Edwards took a step forward Tuesday by taking part in 9-on-7 drills that were all run plays.

Edwards, who had only done individual drills thus far, took the first handoff from Justin Herbert before bursting into a crowd of defenders.

J.K. Dobbins took the next handoff as the pair mostly rotated snaps in the drill. The 10 snaps ended up being an even split of five carries apiece.

With the Bolts wanting to be a physical and bruising rushing team, Roman said he was glad to see both Edwards and Dobbins in the mix Tuesday.

"Just A-plus, unbelievable people, teammates and players," Roman said of the duo. "They'll do anything to help the team with great passion and energy.

"Those two guys are so different from a personality standpoint and I love them both," Roman added. "Really doing a great job and super excited that they're here."

Advertising