4 players who must step up for Chargers in Week 2 against Lions

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Virgil Green #88 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Virgil Green

The only player targeted by Philip Rivers more than Henry in Week 1 was Keenan Allen. Those targets are going to have to go somewhere, and Green won’t be the only player who needs to pick up the slack.

Green is known more for being a blocker than a receiver and his services will still be needed in that area but he needs to be able to find the soft spot in the Detroit defense and be there for Rivers to check the ball down to.

Green only caught 19 passes last year, his first with the team, but the Chargers had other options at tight end, namely Antonio Gates. The Chargers chose not to place Henry on injured reserve, so his roster spot still counts against the 53-player limit.

That means that against the Lions, the Chargers will have just two tight ends on the roster. Sean Culkin will need to make some plays too.

Green caught just one pass in the season opener but because of the lack of depth at tight end, he could literally be in on every offensive snap in this game either as an extra blocker or going out on a pass pattern.

He’s not Henry, but he needs to be a security blanket for Rivers in this game.