5 takeaways from Chargers' Hall of Fame Game victory over Lions
It was our first opportunity to see rookie offensive contributors Omarion Hampton and Tre' Harris in game action for Los Angeles. But a different rookie and the Chargers' backup quarterback stole the show instead.
Here's what we learned from the big win.
Trey Lance takes a step forward
With Justin Herbert in street clothes and Taylor Heinicke only suited up for "emergency situations", Lance took the bulk of snaps for the Chargers at quarterback on Thursday. The former No. 3 overall pick finished 13-of-20 with 2 touchdowns to Will Dissly and KeAndre Lambert-Smith in two and a half quarters of action against the Lions reserves. Lance looked like a more confident thrower, especially over the middle, as he continued what's been a strong training camp for the former 49er and Cowboy as he tries to unseat Heinicke.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith proves he's deserving of a role
The Chargers knew that Lambert-Smith would add a vertical element when they drafted him in the fifth round this April. But the question was always whether or not the Auburn product could create separation in the shallower areas of the field. The rookie started his NFL career with a bang, hauling in a 28-yard reception down the sideline from Lance in the first quarter on a go ball. His touchdown, however, came on a slant in the second quarter. Lambert-Smith survived an ankle tackle and dove into the end zone from 15 yards out.
The only receiver to go over 20 yards on Thursday, Lambert-Smith's performance was another continuation of a strong summer. It's becoming quickly apparent that the rookie's role may be bigger than expected once the games start to count in the standings.
Nikko Reed shakes up the CB competition
Reed has been one of the standouts of training camp, working with the first-team defense at times with a few veterans out due to injury. The undrafted free agent from Oregon has capitalized on the opportunity, intercepting multiple passes in practice. That trend continued on Thursday, as Reed jumped a late throw from Lions quarterback Kyle Allen and returned it 60 yards to set up a Chargers touchdown. Reed then added a special teams tackle and a few more reps of sticky coverage.
With Benjamin St-Juste sidelined and Ja'Sir Taylor and Deane Leonard on shaky ground, Reed may have found a way to sneak into what was previously considered one of the Chargers' hardest rooms to crack.
Caleb Murphy pushes the EDGE room
Los Angeles likely knows that they'll keep four edge rushers on the 53-man roster - Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, Tuli Tuipulotu, and fourth-rounder Kyle Kennard. Finding room for a fifth pass rusher is difficult. But with Mack, Dupree, and Tuipulotu all sitting on Thursday, Chargers fans were likely expecting Kennard and 2024 preseason standout Tre'Mon Morris-Brash to shine against the Lions.
Instead, it was Murphy who reminded LA that he deserves consideration as well. He forced a fumble on the opening kickoff that was recovered by safety Kendall Williamson, then tacked on two pressures and a sack in the second half. With the four spots locked down, it looks like Murphy and Morris-Brash are vying for practice squad spots. If there's only room for one of them, Murphy took the upper hand on Thursday.
Center competition still has yet to be decided
Bradley Bozeman got a night of rest along with the Chargers' other veterans, so Zion Johnson got his first opportunity at center in a game setting on Thursday night. The results were mixed. Johnson had two bad snaps on the first drive of the game on back-to-back reps, sending one high enough that Lance had to jump to corral it and then rolling the next one and forcing Lance to cover the ball for a small loss. Johnson's second drive was cleaner to end his evening.
Andre James came in to play center for the remainder of the half without any issue. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said earlier this week that the former Raiders starter has elevated himself into the starting competition with Bozeman and Johnson, and his solid performance on Thursday should only further that notion.
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