San Francisco’s 41-17 beatdown was only half the nightmare for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Following the blowout, Jim Harbaugh confirmed a compounding injury wave that threatens the depth chart right before Week 1.
Two injuries in particular: first-round pick Akheem Mesidor and Tyler Biadasz’s injury caused the most anxiety last week. Now, Biadasz is very obviously out for a long time. Biadasz faces an extended absence, with Harbaugh admitting postgame that the initial outlook on his knee injury “doesn’t look promising.”
That’s why everyone was hoping to hear a positive update about Mesidor. Since he has already missed multiple practices in a row and then didn’t suit up against the 49ers, Chargers fans were hoping to get a look at his live snaps against San Francisco Friday night.
According to ESPN’s Kris Rhim, Harbaugh admitted post-game that Mesidor is “dealing with something,” but that he should be back at practice over the weekend.
The Chargers let edge rusher Odafe Oweh walk in free agency this offseason and backed up the 25-year-old Mesidor by a fully guaranteed $20.4 million contract. Having his Week 1 status up in the air puts immediate strain on defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary’s edge rotation.
It also puts a 35-year-old Khalil Mack under more pressure than the Chargers would like before Week 1. Mack is Chargers veteran insurance, someone they’ll keep as fresh as they can for key gamedays. Tuli Tuipulotu broke out as a primary starter, but he needs a high-end rotational partner to take the dirty early-down. That’s Mesidor, and that’s why it is one crucial injury update for Chargers edge rushers.
Chargers Rookie Speedster, Others Also Injured
GettyLos Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh suffers a wave of injuries in his squad ahead of final preseason game.
Mike McDaniel’s’Round 4 pick Brenen Thompson left the game midway for a trip to the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. The speedster played all three first-team reps with QB Justin Herbert and then some with QB Trey Lance.
He caught one pass for nine yards on two targets. Harbaugh didn’t give an update right away, saying they’ll have an “inventory tomorrow.” He’s crucial to Chargers’ rotational depth, and they can only hope it’s nothing serious.
Brenson Taylor remaining down after getting visibly hurt was a big bummer of the night. The biggest riser of training camp needed the help of trainers to leave the field after suffering what appeared to be an arm or shoulder injury.
If healthy, Taylor remains locked in a battle with Kayode Awosika for the starting guard spot—a competition now heightened by rookie Jake Slaughter shifting to center for Biadasz.
Chargers Awaiting Update on KeAndre Lambert Smith
GettyLos Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh suffers a wave of injuries in his squad ahead of final preseason game.
Harbaugh offered no official update on wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who exited after taking a hard hit to the midsection.
Chargers have one more preseason game to go, and their squad is already getting banged up. Harbaugh has one week to evaluate his depth before he is forced to make the decisive roster cuts for the final 53-man squad.
Chargers play the Los Angeles Rams next for their final preseason game on August 27 at SoFi Stadium in Cal.
Chargers Hit With Injury Update on First-Round Pick, Others Post 49ers Loss