https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/06/chargers-raiders-nfl-week-1-jc-jackson-ameer-abdullah/

Alex Katson
September 6, 2022 6:14 pm P

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Chargers’ season,
set to kick off on Sunday with a home game against the Raiders.

We know both teams will bring the energy for a heated rivalry game,
though, and there are a few reasons to be concerned about the matchup
with Vegas.

Here are four of them:

J.C. Jackson injury

Jackson hasn’t yet returned to practice after undergoing ankle surgery
two weeks ago, which seems to suggest he’ll be out on Sunday. That
leaves Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. as the two starting corners
on the outside. One of them will have to cover Davante Adams for the
majority of this game, with Bryce Callahan in the slot against Hunter
Renfrow and Derwin James likely manning up Darren Waller. The Chargers
should be confident in Callahan and James to get their jobs done, but
Davis and/or Samuel on Adams could be a bit of a pain point. The injury
to Jackson also weakens the depth in the secondary – if anyone else goes
down, rookies Ja’Sir Taylor and Deane Leonard are next up in the rotation.

Unclear running back rotation

Isaiah Spiller continues to nurse an ankle injury, leaving his role in
Week 1 a bit unclear. Joshua Kelley and newly signed Sony Michel will
likely split the second running back duties, but there are reasons to be
cautious about both. While Kelley has looked much improved this
offseason, he has yet to prove he can be a high-impact player in games
that count. Michel has struggled with his health, which has partially
contributed to a declining yards per carry average over the past few
seasons that led to him getting cut by the Dolphins earlier this
offseason. If the Raiders can limit Ekeler, one of the three other
options will have to step up. But will any of them get consistent enough
reps to get into a groove?

Offensive line chemistry

Rashawn Slater and Matt Feiler return on the left side. They’re not the
issue here. What could be one, especially for Week 1, is the chemistry
between rookie Zion Johnson and his compatriots. Center Corey Linsley
didn’t play a single snap of preseason action as one of the Chargers’
many bubble-wrapped veterans, but he’s also had a series of mysterious
vet rest days in practice. That leaves him and Johnson without a full
complement of reps in practice and zero live opportunities to work out
the kinks. On the other side, Johnson has had to build chemistry with
both right tackles: Trey Pipkins and Storm Norton. Pipkins eventually
won the job, and his chemistry did look better with Johnson. But again,
it’s only half the number of reps the rookie could’ve had with his right
tackle. Those hiccups could lead to pressure on Justin Herbert or
rapidly closing holes for Ekeler and the running game.

Return game threats

Maybe it’s just because my childhood is marred with memories of the
Raiders blocking multiple Mike Scifres punts back in 2010, but special
teams is always one of my focus areas whenever these two teams meet.
This year, I think the biggest concern is in the return game, especially
after watching Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin torch the Chargers
for a kick and punt return touchdown. Raiders kick returner Ameer
Abdullah is tied for third among active NFL players in kick return
average with 25.4 yards per return, behind only Cordarrelle Patterson
and former Charger Andre Roberts. Abdullah is also fourth in total kick
return yardage among active players behind Patterson, Roberts, and Tyler
Lockett. Hunter Renfrow is a lesser threat as a punt returner, but his
shiftiness is not to be underestimated. If Los Angeles hasn’t patched
the holes that led to Turpin’s huge preseason game, it could be a rough
afternoon for them.

[RM: "my childhood"? That was 11 years ago. Is this writer 21?]