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Is flexibility the real offensive identity of the Chargers this season? – Orange County Register

Is flexibility the real offensive identity of the Chargers this season? – Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers may not be a true offense this season. Perhaps their running game will pick up the slack if their passing game isn’t producing results. Perhaps quarterback Justin Herbert will limit himself to short passes and gains when deep passes are not available, or vice versa.

Maybe, just maybe, the Chargers’ superpower is their flexibility.

On Wednesday, Herbert addressed the possibility that the Chargers will have a game plan that won’t be set in stone from week to week the rest of the way, and that they will happily adjust it on the fly depending on what works and what doesn’t. doesn’t work or what the opposing defense does or doesn’t do.

It may well come down to a question of wants and needs.

For example, the Chargers may want to try this or that, but ultimately they want to get what they need to gain yardage and score points. That was certainly the case in games like last Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints, where they opened up the offense to big things after a sluggish start.

Explosive plays, so rare in the first six games, suddenly became a big part of the Chargers’ game. For example, Herbert had a career-high 38-yard run. Another example: He connected with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, caught the ball 60 yards and ran for a touchdown.

“I think you go into the game and have an idea of ​​what you want to do, how you’re going to attack certain coverages, certain fronts, and it’s all open to change,” Herbert said. “The defense might show up as something completely different, something they haven’t shown yet, and then you have to adjust and rely on what you did in (training) camp.”

In fact, there are times when the Chargers have to go back to basics.

“At the same time, if we think we have to win the game by running it and making certain looks, we’re going to do it,” Herbert said. “We believe in our offensive line and our play. At the same time, if we need to throw the ball, I think that’s where we have the run game and the passing game and the combination of those two things… I think that’s what makes our offense complete.”

So, is flexibility the Chargers’ true offensive attribute?

“Perhaps,” said Herbert. “Yes, it definitely could be. He could do everything (well).”

EXTRA POINTS

Outside linebacker Joey Bosa joined his teammates for practice after being limited to 20 snaps during his return to the lineup Sunday after missing three games with a hip injury. He was disallowed a tackle and left the game after it was discovered he had aggravated his injury. …

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Wide receiver DJ Chark practiced but was placed on the restricted list. He could make his Chargers debut on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Chark was designated to return from the injured reserve list and participated in limited practice due to a nagging groin injury. …

The Chargers signed center Sam Mustipher to the active roster and signed guard Kendall Williamson to the practice squad. Mustipher started at right tackle in the Chargers’ Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, which left them without tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater due to injuries. …

Coach Jim Harbaugh admitted he knows more about guard Asante Samuel Jr.’s shoulder injury than previously reported. Harbaugh declined to say the extent of the incident or whether he expects Samuel to come off injured reserve as scheduled next week. Samuel was sidelined for three games.

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