https://theathletic.com/4750152/2023/08/04/chargers-training-camp-jc-jackson-kenneth-murray/

By Daniel Popper
4h ago

COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers held their seventh
practice of training camp Friday at Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex. They
were back in pads after an off day Thursday.

Here are my notes, observations and takeaways.

[snipped]

News and notes

• Cornerback J.C. Jackson left practice during individual drills. The
Chargers said he was dealing with soreness in his surgically repaired
right knee. Jackson suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in that knee in
Week 7 last season and had surgery in late October. He has participated
in the first seven practices to varying degrees. Some days, Jackson will
participate in only individual and seven-on-seven work. Other days, he
will take some 11-on-11 reps. Jackson has yet to take on a full workload
in any individual practice. The reality is he suffered a significant
injury, one without much precedent in the NFL. Jackson’s ramp-up to the
season, as coach Brandon Staley has called it, will be geared to how the
cornerback is feeling on a day-to-day basis. Earlier this week, he was
icing that knee toward the end of practice while the Chargers went
through their final 11-on-11 periods. We will have an update Saturday
when the Chargers are back at practice.

• Left tackle Rashawn Slater and tight end Gerald Everett missed
Friday’s practice with what the Chargers called an illness. Defensive
back Kemon Hall, reserve offensive lineman Zack Bailey and linebacker
Nathan East also did not practice. Trey Pipkins III was back in pads
after sitting out the previous four practices, but he did not
participate in team drills. Foster Sarell played right tackle.

• With Slater and Bailey out, McFadden got the first-team reps at left
tackle. McFadden had been playing primarily guard through the early days
of camp, but he started 27 games at left tackle for Clemson during his
college career. McFadden had some good and bad reps Friday, which is to
be expected. He had a particularly rough stretch during an 11-on-11
move-the-ball period. Joey Bosa beat McFadden for sacks on back-to-back
plays, both on moves to the inside.

• I watched the backs and linebackers in one-on-ones for Friday’s
practice. The backs were running routes out of the backfield against the
linebackers. My biggest takeaway: Rookie Daiyan Henley looked fantastic
in coverage. He had two pass breakups in his two reps, showing good feel
and instincts in reading routes and breaking on the ball. He locked down
Horvath on an out-breaking route on the first rep. And he had tight
coverage on fellow rookie Elijah Dotson on the second rep. I will be
curious to see whether Henley gets a chance for some one-on-one reps
against Ekeler, Kelley or Spiller in the future. Ekeler matched up with
Eric Kendricks, Kelley with Kenneth Murray Jr., and Spiller with Amen
Ogbongbemiga.
Daiyan Henley, shown with defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley at the
Chargers’ rookie minicamp in May, showed off his coverage skills during
Friday’s training camp practice. (Kirby Lee / USA Today)

• Murray had one of the best defensive plays of the day in 11-on-11. On
a first-down Spiller handoff, Murray shot through an inside gap for a
tackle for loss. Murray has looked much more comfortable in run defense
in camp. “You’ve seen more playmaking, you’ve seen the physicality,”
Staley said this week of Murray. “You’ve seen the speed that, I think,
you guys have seen at times, but now you’re seeing it with a lot more
consistency. He’s having a very quality camp for us.”

• After the Mayday period, the Chargers had a field goal period. Dicker
took all the reps for the fourth consecutive field goal period. His
attempts: 33 yards, 31, 40, 45 and 43. His only miss came from 31 yards.
Dustin Hopkins has not kicked field goals since Day 2.

• Herbert’s best throw of the day was a 20-yard missile to Tre’ McKitty
on a deep out-breaking route that whizzed in between Davis and safety
Alohi Gilman, who were breaking on the ball. A true thread-the-needle throw.

• Samuel continued his playmaking ways, winning the 11-on-11
move-the-ball period for the defense with back-to-back pass breakups.
Herbert had moved the offense into plus territory with completions to
Allen and Palmer. Herbert also caught the defense with too many men on
the field, using the fast tempo that will be a staple in Kellen Moore’s
offense. Facing a third-and-5, Herbert tried to hit Williams on an out
route. Samuel was there. On the next play, fourth down, Herbert threw a
jump ball to Williams in the end zone. Samuel broke it up. Samuel also
had an outstanding pass breakup in seven-on-seven on a deep route to
Williams down the right sideline. Samuel timed his jump perfectly and
knocked away the pass.

• Herbert connected with rookie receiver Quentin Johnston on a 60-yard
touchdown off play action during 11-on-11. Johnston beat Taylor off the
line.