[ad_1]
The NFL had no preseason video games in 2020.
On simply the third day of 2021, the Chargers will take part in an train very exhibition-like.
Kansas Metropolis coach Andy Reid introduced Wednesday that backup Chad Henne will likely be his beginning quarterback for a regular-season finale that additionally will function loads of Chargers reserves.
The groups are set to fulfill at 1:25 p.m. Pacific time Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The sport can’t have an effect on the playoffs, with the Chargers sitting at 6-9 and the Chiefs already having clinched the AFC’s prime seed.
So Patrick Mahomes possible gained’t even go well with up, Reid suggesting that veteran Matt Moore can be activated off the observe squad to function his No. 2 quarterback.
Henne, 35, hasn’t began a sport since 2014, when he was taking part in for Gus Bradley in Jacksonville. Bradley is now the Chargers’ defensive coordinator. During the last six seasons, Henne has thrown solely 11 passes.
Among the many Chiefs who didn’t observe due to harm Wednesday had been huge receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, and operating backs Le’Veon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
“Generally, that’s a setup,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn mentioned of going through a compromised roster. “These guys are going to go in there and play their tails off, and will probably be a extra bodily, quick and intense sport than you ever thought it was going to be.”
Lynn additionally famous that, not like within the preseason with its expanded rosters, a restricted variety of regulars can sit out Sunday.
As a former NFL second-stringer himself, he predicted that those that play for Kansas Metropolis gained’t be missing motivation.
“There are solely so many backups on this league,” Lynn mentioned. “You’re speaking to at least one who was a backup on this league. They suppose they’re higher than the man in entrance of them anyway.”
The Chargers additionally will make use of a number of depth gamers due to accidents. Security Rayshawn Jenkins is out due to a high-ankle sprain. Lynn indicated Monday that cornerback Casey Hayward (hamstring) and proper sort out Bryan Bulaga (foot) are unlikely to play.
On Wednesday, Lynn sounded lower than optimistic concerning the availability of huge receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) and defensive finish Joey Bosa (shin/concussion).
Tight finish Hunter Henry remains on the COVID-19 reserve list and hasn’t practiced since earlier than the Chargers’ Week 15 sport in opposition to Las Vegas. Left sort out Sam Tevi (knee) additionally didn’t observe Wednesday.
Henry’s huge season
Chargers tight finish Hunter Henry spikes the ball after scoring a landing in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 17.
(David Becker / Related Press)
Even with Henry more likely to miss the ultimate two video games, he set profession highs with 60 receptions and 93 targets this season, rookie quarterback Justin Herbert relying closely on the veteran.
“He brings loads to this workforce,” offensive coordinator Shane Steichen mentioned of Henry. “He performs laborious. He exhibits as much as work. He’s the definition of a professional.”
Henry has 613 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns whereas setting one other profession excessive with 14 begins. He has appeared in 26 video games over the past two seasons after lacking all however one playoff sport in 2018 due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Henry, 26, will likely be getting into his sixth 12 months within the NFL in 2021. He performed this season on a franchise tag that paid him $10.6 million. He stays in line for an extension, although the Chargers might put the franchise tag on Henry once more.
Coming into Week 17, he’s sixth amongst tight ends in receptions and ninth in yards.
Grounded
The Chargers struggled operating the ball all through their 19-16 victory over Denver on Sunday. Their ultimate numbers — 89 yards in 20 carries — had been bolstered when Austin Ekeler gained 34 yards on back-to-back makes an attempt throughout their ultimate drive.
On a kind of carries, Ekeler was helped by a late push when a number of offensive linemen joined in and turned the pile into an advancing scrum. Ekeler acknowledged the assist when he met with reporters Wednesday.
“I can all the time really feel it,” he mentioned. “I’m stopping after which I begin going once more. ‘Oh, the boys are right here,’ you already know? They obtained my again on the market, so I actually recognize them. It’s a good time once we can put collectively one thing like that.”
And so forth.
Tight finish Donald Parham Jr. missed observe due to an unspecified sickness. Security Jahleel Addae (calf) additionally sat out. … Lynn praised defensive coordinator Bradley and his coaches for preserving issues collectively in a season stuffed with accidents. The Chargers are twelfth in complete yards allowed. “I believe they’ve carried out an excellent job adjusting to the personnel that they’ve,” Lynn mentioned. “There are occasions the place I seemed on the market and, a pair guys, I even forgot their identify. However that’s what he’s needed to work with this 12 months.”… Reid on Herbert: “He doesn’t deal with himself like a rookie. … You take a look at the product, after which his physique language when he’s on the market and the command that he has. … It’s like he’s a veteran.”
[ad_2]
Source link
