The Los Angeles Chargers' approach to the 2019 preseason may be different than in years past.
On Monday, Head Coach Anthony Lynn said he's evaluating the idea of further limiting the amount of reps his starters get in preseason games. Lynn pointed to the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts as examples of teams whose 2018 summer habits may have served them well during the stretch run of the regular season.
"I did my research," Lynn said. "The results speak for themselves. I think all of those teams were in the playoffs at the end of the season. I think they were playing their best football at the end of the season. I think we're going to do some things differently this year."
A majority of the healthy starters played – albeit limited snaps – in three of the team's four preseason games in 2018. Quarterback Philip Rivers finished August with just 14 pass attempts in two games.
For the third straight year, the New Orleans Saints will come to Chargers training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa for joint practices. Lynn also said the team has plans to practice with the Rams.
Browse through the top photos as the Chargers continue offseason training in preparation for minicamp next week.
Last year, New Orleans' visit came the week leading up to the third preseason game, also known as the "dress rehearsal" for the regular season. Both teams got valuable work in practice, which resulted in Rivers and Saints quarterback Drew Brees playing just 17 snaps each in the game.
"You're going to see them against good competition and you'll see them against another opponent, which is going to take it to another element in practice," Lynn said. "You can get good evaluations during that week of practice, for sure."
All four preseason opponents from last year are the same in 2019: the Arizona Cardinals (Week 1), Saints (Week 2), Seattle Seahawks (Week 3) and San Francisco 49ers (Week 4). What may change is how much the first-teamers are on the field.
"There's a good chance that they'll play less," he said. "There is a really good chance."
Chargers rookies attend Angels game
All seven rookies from the Chargers' 2019 draft class were in attendance for Wednesday night's Angels game. Naturally, it was the QB who threw out the first pitch before the Halos' 10-9 win over the Oakland A's.
Easton Stick told Fox Sports West that he's been a long-time fan of first baseman Albert Pujols.
"[I] grew up a Cardinals fan," Stick said. "I've got family in St. Louis, and so watching him play growing up, he's always [been] my favorite player. … He's certainly one of the best to ever do it and it really is amazing how long he's been able to do it."
Compare Stick's pitch Wednesday with safety Derwin James' attempt last season:
Justin Jones, Joey Bosa to participate in Fortnite tournament
Don't tell second-year defensive tackle Justin Jones that e-gaming isn't a real sport.
On Sunday, June 16, Jones will be participating in the Fortnite Summer Block Party Celebrity Pro-Am at the Forum in Inglewood – just steps from the Chargers' new home in 2020. Defensive end Joey Bosa will also be participating in the event.
Jones, an avid gamer, considers himself a decent Fortnite player, but said that his Pro Bowl teammate is on another level.
"Joey is not an amateur," Jones said on the latest episode of Chargers Weekly. "Like, it's pros against amateurs. Joey is not an amateur at all. … If he wins a game, I'm filing a grievance for sure."
Other celebrities slated to participate in the tournament include Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Lakers guard Josh Hart and former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.
Listen to the full interview with Jones on Chargers Weekly, the official podcast of the team. Other topics include Jones' recent graduation from NC State, making the leap from his rookie season to year two, offseason boxing, and more.
Chargers Weekly is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, YouTube and the official Chargers app. A five-star rating/review is appreciated and will help spread the word to other fans this offseason.
Weekend reading
Chargers legend Donnie Edwards is bringing World War II veterans to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Cornerback Trevor Williams is back and ready to rebound in 2019.
Coach Lynn is putting the onus on the team's youngest players to make an impression.
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