Chargers Ladd McConkey can finally learn from

Even before Keenan Allen returned to the Chargers last week, he was already having an affect in the receiver room.

As a rookie, Ladd McConkey studied Allen’s follow movie on his team-issued iPad, making an attempt to soak up classes from one of the league’s best route runners — the very participant whose rookie data for receptions and receiving yards McConkey would ultimately surpass.

“You sit in team meetings, pull up your iPad and just watch,” McConkey said. “Watching his one-on-one stuff from previous years, when he was here. I’m going to check this out, see what he’s got.”

Now, the 33-year-old Allen and 23-year-old McConkey are inseparable on the sphere. Throughout follow, McConkey picks the veteran’s mind — one thing he says “would be dumb if I didn’t.”

“He’s been doing it at a high level for a long time, so any knowledge I can get, I’m going to take it,” McConkey said. “He’s very decisive and smart… He knows how to win using leverage. He doesn’t just run past you — he can set you up at the top, stick and he has great hands.”

The prospect of the 2 enjoying in the same offense excites McConkey, who says any doubts about their chemistry can be set apart because “in this offense, we can all move around.”

“We can all rotate in different positions and scheme it up the way they want,” McConkey added. “That’s something that’s really good about our receivers, and we’re all very versatile.”

It was the first day the 2 have been in a position to take part in the same 11-on-11 session, with McConkey returning from an undisclosed injury that sidelined him for a number of practices and Allen just coming back last week.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Allen’s presence has already made a distinction, noting, “We always knew he was a great player, but now that he’s here, he’s proven it once again… Keenan creates flexibility for us and also makes us stronger.”

“Our training staff is doing a great job acclimating him, getting him up to speed,” Roman said. “We’re taking it slow, in a gradual manner… Getting into football shape.”

Running back rotation

At occasions last season, when healthy, the Chargers rotated as many as three-deep at working back.

With Najee Harris — anticipated back at some level — and first-round decide Omarion Hampton projected to deal with the majority of the carries, there’s still an opening for a third back in Roman’s system.

With Hampton sitting out Sunday’s preseason recreation against the New Orleans Saints, a lot of reps have been up for grabs. Roman called it a “wide-open competition.”

“There’ll definitely be a rotation no matter what happens,” Roman said. “We’ll try to keep guys fresh throughout the game. I think the days of one running back taking every rep are going the way of prehistoric creatures.”

That leaves the spot up for grabs between second-year back Kimani Vidal — who began Sunday and completed with six carries for 16 yards — and undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders, who had 10 carries for 42 yards and a landing.

“He [Sanders] did a great job, kind of created some things on his own,” Sanders said. “Leaned on the defense in the fourth quarter… A lot of it [drive] was him pounding the rock. He did a really nice job for his first game.”

Sanders faces an uphill climb, though. Vidal is coming off a rookie season in which he labored his manner from a fringe roster hopeful to contributor, making the 53-man roster and showing in 10 video games.

At follow, the 2 continue to combat for a good share of reps, with Hassan Haskins blended in.

Etc…

Quarterback Trey Lance sat out full-team drills Tuesday, which Roman said was merely a relaxation day after Lance performed most of Sunday’s recreation — stressing it was not injury-related… Guard Mekhi Becton has now missed two full weeks of follow as he continues to “work through something.”