How will the Chargers cope with out Derwin James?
COSTA MESA, Calif. — How do you exchange Derwin James, one of many NFL’s finest safeties?
Brief reply: You do not. So the Los Angeles Chargers must make the most of multiple participant to fill the void left by James, who will miss three to 4 months after having surgical procedure to repair a stress fracture in his proper foot.
“It is robust each time a man goes down,” Chargers defensive finish Joey Bosa mentioned. “Simply how [DE] Isaac [Rochell] stepped up and stuffed [my] spot final 12 months, we’ll have one other man step up.”
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Simply how good was James final season? He turned the primary rookie in Chargers historical past to be named first-team All-Professional. He led the Chargers by taking part in on 99% of defensive snaps, based on ESPN Stats & Info. James proved to be one of many extra versatile defensive backs in soccer final season. He was the one defensive again with triple-digit tackles (105), a number of sacks (three.5) and a number of interceptions (three). And he performed everywhere in the discipline.
Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will use a mix of defensive backs to take the place of James. Versatile security Adrian Phillips possible will get the lion’s share of the reps at sturdy security. Phillips, coming into his sixth 12 months, broke out final season, ending with 94 tackles, a compelled fumble and an interception. He stuffed in at outdoors linebacker in the course of the second half of 2018 attributable to accidents on the place, taking part in a complete of 638 defensive snaps, together with seven begins.
YearPlayerInjury2019Derwin JamesFoot2018Joey BosaFoot2018Hunter HenryTorn ACL2018Jason VerrettTorn Achilles2017Forrest LampTorn ACL2017Mike WilliamsHerniated Disk2017Denzel PerrymanAnkle
Different gamers who can fill in on the security place embrace slot defender Desmond King, who additionally earned All-Professional honors final season as a defensive again and a returner, and Rayshawn Jenkins, presently pegged because the staff’s beginning free security. Second-round choose Nasir Adderley and veteran Jaylen Watkins present depth.
Whereas none of these gamers are as gifted or as dynamic as James, they may enable Bradley to proceed to play an analogous, attacking protection centered on making use of stress on the quarterback and creating turnovers.
“It is by no means enjoyable to listen to that sort of information, particularly a few man like that and a participant like that,” mentioned tight finish Hunter Henry, who missed all however one recreation final season with an ACL knee harm. “He is a extremely nice participant.
“It has occurred quite a bit to us through the years. It is a next-man-up mentality. I believe it’s important to take that on. We’re praying for him, hoping the perfect for him to bounce again as quick as he can.”
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn echoed Henry’s sentiments, anticipating extra adversity because the season progresses.
“I inform myself yearly that there shall be three or 4 issues that may occur that you do not count on that it’s important to overcome,” Lynn mentioned. “It is occurring.”