Daily Charge: Week 1 news and notes; former Chargers find work

Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick Derwin James picked off Drew Brees in the third week of the preseason.

Though there was some question as to when James would crack the starting lineup, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley officially announced during a press conference Monday that James will be one of the starting safeties when the team kicks off the regular season against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The play James made on Brees settled any doubt and fans can look forward to having a serious playmaker in the secondary right away.

In other news for the regular-season opener, head coach Anthony Lynn stated during the postgame press conference that star defensive end Joey Bosa will be ready to go in Week 1. That’s good news for the team, as he is arguably the best player on the roster.

Bosa has missed all of the preseason and a good portion of training camp with a foot injury. But if rest and taking it easy is the best medicine, then that’s what he needs to do.

Former Chargers players headed to Alliance of American Football

Since the Alliance of American Football announced its intentions to become a new professional football league (soon to be followed by the XFL), we’ve been tracking which former members of the Chargers have been given the chance to continue their playing careers.

Well add two more names to that list.

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Quarterback Mike Bercovici and wide receiver Isaiah Burse have signed contracts with the upstart league.

Recently, I listed players who once played for the Chargers who could catch on with one of these new leagues. Bercovici was on the list. Undrafted out of Arizona State, Bercovici was in training camp with the Chargers in each of the last two seasons. He received limited work before being cut and then claimed by the Arizona Cardinals, who dropped him from their practice squad a month later. He has signed with the Alliance Phoenix squad.

In addition to Bercovici, former Fresno State wide receiver Isaiah Burse has joined the Alliance San Diego team.

Originally signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie, Burse also had a short stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers before spending the past three seasons with the Chargers. Though he never caught a pass in the regular season, he does have 502 combined yards on kick and punt returns to his credit.