Takeaways from Chargers' preseason win over Saints: Caleb Murphy rising up depth chart
Coach Jim Harbaugh highlighted a few players by name in his postgame news conference: cornerback Eric Rogers, edge rusher Caleb Murphy, linebacker Marlowe Wax, receiver Dalevon Campbell, quarterback Trey Lance and safety Kendall Williamson.
Advertisement
'It just brings a smile to my face,' Harbaugh said. 'I love guys that play like they want to be on this team. They want to show that they belong.'
Let's dive into some of the standout performances from Sunday and what those mean as the Chargers inch closer to finalizing their 53-man roster.
The Chargers entered training camp last month with the top three spots in their edge rusher group solidified: Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree. They drafted Kyle Kennard in the fourth round in April, and it seemed Kennard had an inside track to earning the fourth spot. Murphy has flipped that expectation upside down.
Murphy has been working on the Chargers' core-four special teams units throughout camp and the preseason. He has made plays on special teams in each of the first two preseason games. He assisted a tackle that led to a forced fumble on the opening kickoff of the Hall of Fame Game. Murphy added a tackle Sunday in punt coverage. His capabilities in this phase were already pushing him toward the 53-man roster, as coordinator Ryan Ficken looks for reliable pieces.
Murphy's performance this preseason has stretched beyond special teams, though. He is showing up on defense. And now Murphy is poised not just to make the 53-man but has a chance to jump Kennard on the depth chart and be the fourth edge rusher behind Mack, Tuipulotu and Dupree. Kennard has not practiced since the Hall of Fame Game, and he did not dress Sunday.
Murphy officially had two sacks against the Saints, including a sack-fumble early in the second quarter that defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe recovered. He was dominant in one-on-one situations. Harbaugh said he believed Murphy should have been credited with three sacks. Murphy agreed with Harbaugh. Wax was credited with a sack on a third-and-9 in the third quarter, but it was really Murphy who finished the play on Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
'He's making a good case,' Harbaugh said of Murphy. 'A really good case.'
let's goooooo
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/VxwdfHHQQ0
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 10, 2025
This game was a step forward for Murphy. Against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game, Murphy flashed as a run defender. On Sunday, he produced in the pass rush.
'Definitely feels like things are clicking,' Murphy said.
Harbaugh said he predicted Murphy's big game to the team. Harbaugh made Murphy a game captain for the coin toss.
Advertisement
Murphy joined the Chargers practice squad in October, after he was waived by the Tennessee Titans. He was active for three games with the Chargers in the middle of the season, playing 12 defensive snaps and 37 special teams snaps.
When asked in the postgame locker room about the case he is making for the 53-man, Murphy replied, 'That's not my job. My job is to come out here and perform. Just do my job to the best of my ability, and that's that.'
Running back Najee Harris remains on the non-football injury list with an eye injury he sustained in a July 4 fireworks accident. With Harris out, rookie Omarion Hampton has been the clear lead back in training camp practices. The battle behind Hampton has turned into an interesting one. If Harris misses any regular-season action, the Chargers will need a second back to pair with Hampton within the offense.
Raheim Sanders, who goes by the nickname Rocket, is now firmly in that mix.
Sanders led all running backs Sunday with 42 rushing yards on 10 carries. His vision and patience jumped out in the game, two attributes he had shown in practice. Sanders had a run of 14 yards in the third quarter. He let the blocking develop in front of him before hitting the hole and finding open field to his left. Sanders has a great feel of how to change speeds to make the most of his blocking. He also can be physical and drive through contact when necessary.
Sanders capped his day with an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, extending the Chargers' lead to 14 points. This is exactly what coaches want to see in a four-minute situation. The Chargers got the ball back with 3:38 remaining in a one-score game. They drove 65 yards on four plays to put it away. Rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei connected with Campbell on a 51-yard go ball to expedite the drive.
Advertisement
On the touchdown, Sanders showed off his vision. He started up the middle before bouncing to the outside and winning the race to the corner of the end zone. Sanders said after the game that he knew the bounce to the right would be available based on the Saints' front. He also drew the Saints safeties into the box by initially starting up the middle, which left no one on the back end to cut off his angle to the end zone.
rocket sanders 🚀
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/mQJCYaKnL2
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 10, 2025
Sanders said he 'blacked out' as soon as he crossed the goal line. He had not played in a real football game since Nov. 30, when his South Carolina Gamecocks beat Clemson. He had not scored a touchdown since a Nov. 23 game against Wofford.
'I trusted my read,' Sanders said. 'After that, it was history.'
Sanders is competing with Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson for that No. 2 spot behind Hampton. Haskins also ran well Sunday, finishing with 33 yards on six carries. Vidal had 16 yards on six carries. Patterson did not play after suffering an injury in Thursday's practice.
'There's a lot of good players there,' Harbaugh said. 'They're showing that.'
Sanders participated in the first practice of training camp. But after suffering an injury, he missed the next eight practices and did not play in the Hall of Fame Game.
Now he is back and performing, and he could be carving out a role on offense — especially if Harris misses time early in the season. Sanders also made a quality adjustment on a third-and-2 conversion reception in the second quarter.
'Every opportunity I get,' Sanders said, 'just take advantage of it.'
Lance started the Hall of Fame Game and was very solid throwing the ball in the win. He came off the bench Sunday, replacing Taylor Heinicke, and showed off a different element to his game.
Advertisement
Lance led the Chargers in rushing with 48 yards on seven carries. The protection up front was spotty, but Lance was able to mitigate that by escaping the pocket and scrambling to keep drives alive.
Lance engineered a 14-play, 85-yard touchdown drive late in the second quarter. On back-to-back plays, Lance scrambled for first downs. The first came on a third-and-7 and went for 14 yards. The second scramble went for 17 yards. Both were down the left sideline. Lance played on time and in structure in the Hall of Fame Game. On Sunday, he was forced to improvise when the protection broke down around him, and he created explosive plays with his legs.
'It helps me out a lot getting out of sticky situations,' Lance said.
Lance capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
'He was a good presence and poised and in control,' Harbaugh said. 'You make the right decisions. That's really what it comes down to. Not everybody can do it.'
trey lance is quick
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/qXoE8bW9BK
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 10, 2025
Heinicke started Sunday's game after not playing in the Hall of Fame Game. He completed just 1 of 5 pass attempts for 8 yards. He missed a potential explosive play when he threw high to tight end Tyler Conklin off play action on the opening drive of the game.
Lance has looked like the better quarterback. He is trending toward being Justin Herbert's backup this season.
When asked about that battle, Harbaugh said, 'I'm not going to talk about a second-string quarterback competition.'
Rogers, an undrafted rookie, had two interceptions in Sunday's game. The first came on a third-and-6 in the third quarter, and it showed Rogers has a chance to play at this level. The Chargers were in a Cover 3 look, and Rogers was responsible for the deep outside third to his side. However, from his depth in the zone, he could see Shough gearing up to throw an out route to receiver Dante Pettis to the right sideline.
Advertisement
Rogers trusted his instincts and went to make a play, even though tight end Treyton Welch was running a corner route behind him into his zone. Rogers timed his break perfectly. He jumped the pass attempt to Pettis, picked it off and tumbled to the ground. He was not touched. He got up and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown.
'That was as good of a play as I've ever seen,' Harbaugh said.
house call 📞
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/ZIEqOH745C
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 10, 2025
Rogers intercepted quarterback Jake Haener in the fourth quarter. He also had a pass breakup on a third-and-7 in the fourth quarter.
Late in the game, Rogers injured his ankle while playing on the kickoff team. He was on crutches in the locker room after the game.
(Photo of Caleb Murphy: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today's puzzle
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
31 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Resurgent Padres atop NL West ahead of 3-game series at rival Dodgers beginning Friday night
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — At the outset of play on July 4, the San Diego Padres were coming off a 2-4 trip through Cincinnati and Philadelphia and trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by nine games in the National League West. On Friday night, the Padres and Dodgers open a three-game series at Los Angeles with San Diego atop the division. The Padres completed a three-game sweep of the host San Francisco Giants on Wednesday with an 11-1 romp that extended San Diego's winning streak to five games. The Padres also have won five straight series and are 23-12 since Independence Day. 'We've played a lot of really good baseball,' manager Mike Shildt said. 'Pitching's been good, defense, baserunning. I've been really pleased the last week or so about the offense dictating the game.' San Diego took control Wednesday with a seven-run second inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. contributed a two-run single. 'We're going out there confident every single day, playing good baseball, clean baseball — and that's what we're capable of doing,' said Tatis, who had two hits, two walks and drove in three runs. The Padres and Dodgers have met in the NL Division Series three times in the past five seasons, with LA winning in 2020 and '24 and San Diego prevailing in '22. Considering that history, Tatis said it's hard to overstate the importance of this weekend's series, even if it is only mid-August. 'It's huge. That's what we're playing for,' Tatis said. 'It's in our hands, how much we want it.' Barely more than a month ago, the Padres weren't particularly concerned with the division race. 'We played some bad baseball around that time, so we weren't really looking up at that point,' third baseman Manny Machado said. 'We were just trying to get back in the win column.' The Padres revamped their roster at the trade deadline, adding — most notably — outfielder Ramón Laureano and All-Star designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn from the Orioles, catcher Freddy Fermin from the Royals, left-hander Nestor Cortes from the Brewers and reliever Mason Miller from the Athletics. 'Every player that has come in has contributed in a really big (way). They're a really big part of this team,' Tatis said. Laureano went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer Wednesday. He has gone 15 for 45 (.333) with San Diego. Fermin is 11 for 31 (.355) with the Padres. And this weekend, the Padres — new and old — take on their Southern California rivals with first place in the NL West at stake. 'Clearly, it's a series people are going to be paying attention to,' Shildt said, 'and we're just going to play good, clean, fundamental Padre baseball.' ___ AP MLB:
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Micah Parsons issues 4-word response as contract drama with Cowboys continues
Micah Parsons watched from the sideline Wednesday as the Dallas Cowboys went through a padded practice in Oxnard, California. But as the team prepares to return to Texas, Parsons' contract dispute remains an issue. While Parsons stood near longtime Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones Thursday, talks between Parsons' representatives and the team's front office have not progressed. Last week, Jones said he had not spoken with the star pass rusher since his request to be traded to another team was made public. Jones did make it clear he does not intend to trade the All-Pro edge rusher. On Wednesday, Parsons was asked to share an update on where contract extension negotiations stood. "My mouth is closed," Parsons told reporters, according to The Athletic. Parsons missed four games last season but still finished the year with 12 sacks. He has recorded double-digit sacks in each of his four seasons in the NFL. As it currently stands, Parsons will enter the 2025 regular season in the final year of his rookie deal. Parsons is seeking a new contract during a summer in which other star passer rushers, like Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, landed lucrative extensions from their respective teams. The Cowboys visit the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles Sept. 4 to open the regular season.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Caleb Williams will get his first preseason playing time in Johnson's offense when Bears host Bills
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson sees the second preseason game as the ideal time to get quarterback Caleb Williams some on-field reps. Williams will see game action in Johnson's offense for the first time when the Bears host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Backups Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Austin Reed took the snaps in last Sunday's 24-24 tie against Miami in the preseason opener. 'Our starters are going to play, everyone is going to play,' Johnson said Wednesday. 'Last week and really all through camp I've been pretty consistent with the thought of reps, reps, reps are the most important thing to get (Williams) up to speed.' Johnson said he got Williams 80 to 100 practice plays within the offense that he wouldn't have had if he had played in Sunday's game. Of course, Williams wasn't facing a live defense trying to sack him. 'This week it's a different schedule, a different length of time in terms of between games, and all that,' Johnson said. 'So our plan right now is the guys that sat out last week they will be playing this week.' Williams' play in training camp practices has been inconsistent but Johnson has seen improvement from the second-year QB. 'I'm pleased with how he is able to spit these plays out right now,' Johnson said. 'He's made significant progress in that regard and once we get going here in a game week, we're going to condense the verbiage even more. But we have challenged him. It's been a lot. 'That was by design, and so if we struggle at all in the huddle to get the play out, then the delays are going to pop up. That's a little bit part of the learning process and us growing, but by design we have made this very challenging and hard and we know what we need to do as a staff to elevate some of that pressure. I think Week 1 we're going to be in a good spot.' What's less clear is who will start at left tackle. Starter Braxton Jones is being challenged by rookie Ozzy Trapilo. However, at Wednesday's practice, second-year undrafted free agent Theo Benedet alternated with Jones at left tackle with the starters, while Trapilo was the backup right tackle. Jaylon Johnson 'on track' for return Cornerback Jaylon Johnson remains on the non-football injury list, but Ben Johnson sounded more optimistic Wednesday that the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback will be ready for the season opener. 'He's right on track, he's right where he need to be,' Johnson said. 'It's really like I said, those type of injuries you really don't know. Short term, long term, every guy is a little bit different, but I think we're going in the right direction.' ___ AP NFL:
