Injuries may test Chargers vs. Bills
Beating the Seahawks is extra difficult. Emerging from a Seahawks game with relative health may be the same. Wins after duels with Seattle were rare last year.
The Chargers took step one Sunday, dealing Seattle just its fourth defeat in its last 21 games.
Did step two arrive Thursday when five prominent Chargers sat out a second consecutive practice as two others were limited? Answer: it’s murky.
We’ll find out Sunday how step three applies to the Chargers, who’ll face the Bills (2-0) in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Last year, teams were 5-9-1 the game after playing Seattle, the eventual Super Bowl champion. The record was 0-6 at one point, raising speculation the Seahawks’ physical, high-energy style took a toll.
Asked if last Sunday’s game was especially taxing, given the opponent and 100-degree heat, Mike McCoy hasn’t embraced the notion. He noted that the Chargers mustered several drives, holding the ball 42 minutes in all. The Seahawks’ first opponent, Green Bay, a 36-16 loser at Seattle on Sept. 4, beat the Jets last Sunday.
Ingram sidelined
Melvin Ingram (hamstring), Rich Ohrnberger (back), Johnnie Troutman (back) and Jerry Attaochu (hamstring) sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday. Ryan Mathews, who injured a knee ligament against Seattle, is expected to remain sidelined for about a month. Keenan Allen (groin) and Antonio Gates (hamstring) were limited participants a second day in a row, as was Jahleel Addae (hamstring).
Explosiveness was a big part of Ingram’s strong outing versus the Seahawks. Leading up, he took part in two of three practices last week. In both he was limited.
Opportunity for Watt?
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich said Chris Watt, Troutman and others are candidates at center if Ohrnberger is unavailable. Almost all of Watt’s career experience is at guard, where he backs up Troutman. But the rookie started at center in the final exhibition.
“I feel like Chris is ready to go,” Reich said. “I feel like if we had needed him Week 1, the guy was ready. He is a tough-minded guy. He is exactly what you want in a young offensive lineman. He is smart, he moves well, he’s got good knee bend. He plays with leverage, he plays smart.
“But he was a young guy, still a little bit to learn, and so, hence, he didn’t crack the starting lineup right away. But he’s a guy we have confidence in.”
McCoy said this about Watt’s performance at center after reviewing the game film Aug. 29: “He did an outstanding job, directing the traffic and doing certain things. Smart player that has the position flexibility that you love.”
