Chargers training camp has been firing on all cylinders for three weeks as the team is now entering the first preseason week of the year. The Bolts take on the LA Rams on Sunday, August 13 in what will be the first taste of real Chargers football.
Granted, Brandon Staley has historically rested almost all of his starters during the preseason, so the product that is on the field on Sunday is not going to be the same as the regular season. That being said, fans can still learn a lot about the team (especially the new offensive play-calling).
There is plenty of Chargers news leading into the first preseason game of the year. Here is everything that fans need to know.
Chargers news roundup:
- The Chargers have signed offensive tackle Matt Kaskey. Kaskey has spent time on some practice teams and has gotten some roster elevations in the NFL but has never played. Kaskey was a standout on the USFL Champion Birmingham Stallions. This comes after the Chargers' offensive line was torched in Sunday's inter-squad scrimmage. It was the second unit that struggled and Kaskey will compete for depth snaps on the Bolts.
- Daniel Popper of The Athletic released unofficial training camp stats for the Bolts thus far and Keenan Allen is head and shoulders above the rest of the receivers on the roster. According to Popper's estimates, Allen has caught 46 passes during team drills. That is 19 more than John Hightower, who has the second most.
- The Chargers released the first unofficial depth chart of the 2023 season. While this is by no means set in stone, fans have been dissecting the depth chart and what it may mean for 2023.
First unofficial #Chargers depth chart of the season. Remember: This is compiled by team's PR staff. So don't read too far into it. pic.twitter.com/5yQaArDzCX
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 9, 2023
NFL news roundup:
- Free-agent running back Kareem Hunt worked out with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday and it was initially reported that he agreed to a deal with the team. However, Hunt now has a meeting with the Indianapolis Colts and it is reported that Indy offered Hunt more money before he even worked out with the Saints.
- Amid contract and potential trade disputes with the Colts, Jonathan Taylor reportedly left his team's training camp to rehab off-site. Taylor is one of several running backs joining the fight against unequal pay at the position.
- Patrick Mahomes unsurprisingly topped the NFL 100 list ahead of the 2023 season. The rest of the top 10, in order from second to 10th, consisted of Justin Jefferson, Jalen Hurts, Nick Bosa, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, Tyreek Hill, Josh Allen, Micah Parsons and Chris Jones. For comparison's sake, Justin Herbert ranked 32nd.