Jerry Tillery: Time to panic with Chargers first-round selection?

The Chargers drop their second game in a row, and it looks like their Day One draft choice isn’t close to making an impact any time soon.

The Chargers, for a number of reasons, lost their second game of the season. Anyone pointing to penalties, missed opportunities, and injuries is looking the right way. Understandably, there is quite a bit of panic among fans, with some even going as far as saying the team will lose to the Dolphins next week.

It’s unlikely, however, the Chargers drop that game, which would be their third loss in a row. The team is far too talented to lose to a Miami team whose players have zero interest being there.

After that, the Chargers will face what is currently an 0-3 Broncos team, followed by a win-less Steelers team. They’ll be just fine, and likely end up 4-2. Now is not the time to worry; at least not everywhere.

One area of concern, however, is bothering every fan quite a bit: Rookie first-round selection Jerry Tillery.

Through three games, Tillery has two combined tackles, no sacks, no run stuffs, and no forced fumbles. Against the Texans, No. 99 didn’t register a stat in any category.

Is it time to panic just yet?

Patience with rookies is important, and Tillery was by no means a finished prospect. Transitioning into the NFL is tough, particularly for a very tall and lean defensive tackle. The rookie out of Notre Dame was also recovering from an injury and did not log many preseason snaps.

But it’s difficult to get excited about a player who has not flashed at all thus far, especially one who gets to play in between Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Tillery could use a monster game in Miami next week, one that could propel him to success as the season goes along. Because if he can’t start making plays against subpar teams, every fan who wanted an offensive tackle in the first round may have their suspicions confirmed.