Chargers vs. Saints: Trey Lance among five players to watch

The injuries hit the loads hard in the training camp.

Minor losses put Mekhi Becton and Ladd McConkey in detour for several training sessions, with the severe, with the return date of Najee Harris always a mystery and Rashawn Slater for the season.

By an abundance of prudence, coach Jim Harbaugh said again that veteran starters will not play on Sunday against the Saints of New Orleans at the Sofi stadium.

For recruits such as Keandre Lambert-Smith and Nikko Reed, it is a chance to rely on the promise they presented during the beginning of pre-season last week.

It will be the first direct comparison between Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance, who are in an unexpected quarter-rear battle.

And Trey Pipkins III will obtain repetitions essential to the right tackle while the offensive line undergoes a reshuffle.

Battle in the backup quarter

The Taylor Heinicke (8) Loads quarter-Arrières tackles Ballon Gus Edwards in a match against Pittsburgh Steelers on September 22.

(Matt Freed / Associated Press)

After rebounding about three teams in five seasons, Lance showed lightning for the reasons why it was once a global choice n ° 3.

His high performance in the hall of the Hall of Fame – 120 yards and two affected – earned him the confidence of coaches staff to compete for the quarter -rescue place alongside Heinicke.

“He is a guy who is really diligent with his preparation,” said the attacking coordinator Greg Roman. “It has definitely allowed itself well. … Confidence is only won in this league in the field, and it should be confident.”

Last season, Heinicke was the main backup of Justin Herbert, joining the charges of the Falcons d’Atlanta for a seventh round choice, a concerted decision to add depth after the quarter-Arrière of last year’s dull.

Although Heinicke, who re-signed during the offseason, seems to have one step ahead, Lance will have the chance throughout the pre-season to prove that he can be a capable backup. The charges plan to play Heinicke in the first two series on Sunday – its pre -season debut – before Lance took over for the rest of the match.

Keandre Lambert-Smith moves upwards

The Keandre Lambert-Smith charge receiver catches a pass in a pre-season match against the Detroit lions on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.

(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)

As the training camp takes place, the loads may have uncovered a diamond in the harsh with the choice of fifth round Keandre Lambert-Smith, the 21st wide receiver selected in the draft.

Roman delighted about the type of body of Lambert-Smith, speed, smooth movements and instinct to follow the ball. These features quickly led to chemistry with Herbert, leading to more targets in each practice.

Although it only attracts two targets during its pre -season debut, it benefited as much as possible – transporting a reception of 28 yards and transforming an inclination of 15 yards into a touchdown.

“He’s not just a pony guy in a turn, below the field – he really impressed me,” said Roman. “It has improved a lot with its route. It is still a long way to go, but it is on this trajectory.”

The passage of Trey Pipkins III to the right tackle

The loads attack Trey Pipkins III align to block the Raiders of Las Vegas on January 5.

(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

With Joe Alt slippery in the left set point, Pipkins moves in a starting role on the opposite side after entering the camp as a swing tackle, preparing for a scenario, nobody – including Pipkins – had hoped to see.

Harbaugh expressed confidence in the veteran – who started opening the pre -season in the left tackle and will now go to the right tackle – saying: “He is really one of our best guys.”

During his career, Pipkins recorded just over 3,000 snaps and started 41 games in Tackle, a move with which he is comfortable.

“His best position is to tackle, and this move was made earlier during the offseason,” added Harbaugh. “I have all the confidence in the world in Trey.”

Murphy Caleb reader

The Murphy Caleb loaders flows after the ball during a pre-season match against the Strait Lions Thursday in Canton, Ohio.

(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)

As soon as this pre-season kicks off, Murphy’s influence was immediate.

A special teammate trying to win defensive shots, Murphy sprouted the field at the bottom during the first game and forced a escape, creating the charges in the notation position. In defense, he presented his capacity to draft passes, finishing with three plated, including one for a defeat.

In his second training camp with the team, the former free agent not drafted is more and more comfortable in the defensive program, according to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

MINTRT says that “La Flèche points up” for Murphy in a competitive room which also includes the choice of fourth round Kennard and the second year player Tre’mon Morris-Brash, all in the running for the fourth runner point.

Battle of Nikko Reed

The Nikko Reed loading corner half returns an interception in a pre-season match against the Detroit lions on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.

(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)

With the Tarheeb Still return corner half, Cam Hart and Ja’Sir Taylor – as well as the additions of a free agent Donte Jackson and Benjamin St -Just – the chances are slim for a recruit not drafted to enter the rotation.

But Nikko Reed, the former Oregon Duck who has gone from the virtual unknown to the creation of very impact cover games almost daily, tries to beat the chances. Its execution resulted in training in a pre-season match, with a pick-six of almost 60 yards last week.

“He definitely has the talent to make these types of parts,” said Minter.

Gunning now wants to see if Reed can “go to the next step” and be always this player – “do this in practice, do this in a few more games”.