Chargers vs. Saints: Trey Lance among five players

Injury have hit the Chargers laborious in training camp.

From minor setbacks sidelining Mekhi Becton and Ladd McConkey for a number of practices, to the extreme, with Najee Harris’ return date still a thriller and Rashawn Slater out for the season.

Out of an abundance of warning, coach Jim Harbaugh once again said veteran starters received’t play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium.

For rookies such as KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Nikko Reed, it’s a likelihood to construct on the promise they confirmed in last week’s preseason debuts.

It would be the first direct comparability between Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance, who are in an sudden backup quarterback battle.

And Trey Pipkins III will get much-needed reps at proper sort out as the offensive line undergoes a reshuffle.

Battle at backup quarterback

After bouncing around three groups in five seasons, Lance confirmed flashes of why he was once a No. 3 general decide.

His strong efficiency in the Hall of Fame Game — 120 yards and two touchdowns — earned him the teaching workers’s trust to compete for the backup quarterback spot alongside Heinicke.

“He’s a guy that is really diligent with his preparation,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “He definitely afforded himself well. … Confidence is only gained in this league on the field, and he should be confident.”

Last season, Heinicke served as the first backup behind Justin Herbert, becoming a member of the Chargers from the Atlanta Falcons for a seventh-round decide, a concerted transfer to add depth after last 12 months’s lackluster backup quarterback competitors.

Though Heinicke, who re-signed in the offseason, seems to have a leg up, Lance could have the prospect throughout the preseason to show he will be a succesful backup. The Chargers plan to play Heinicke during the first two sequence Sunday — his preseason debut — before Lance takes over for the remaining of the sport.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith shifting up

Chargers receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith catches a move during a preseason sport against the Detroit Lions on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.

(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)

As training camp unfolds, the Chargers might have unearthed a diamond in the tough with fifth-round decide KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the twenty first vast receiver chosen in the draft.

Roman raved about Lambert-Smith’s physique kind, velocity, clean actions and intuition for monitoring the ball. Those traits have rapidly led to chemistry with Herbert, ensuing in more targets with each observe.

Despite drawing only two targets in his preseason debut, he made the most of them — hauling in a 28-yard reception and turning a 15-yard slant into a landing.

“He’s not just a one-trick pony, down-the-field guy — he’s really impressed me,” Roman said. “He’s gotten a lot better with his route running. There’s still a long way to go, but he’s on that trajectory.”

Trey Pipkins III’s transfer to proper sort out

Chargers sort out Trey Pipkins III strains up to block against the Las Vegas Raiders on Jan. 5.

(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

With Joe Alt sliding into the left sort out spot, Pipkins strikes into a beginning position on the other aspect after coming into camp as a swing sort out, making ready for a situation no one — including Pipkins — had hoped to see.

Harbaugh expressed confidence in the veteran — who began the preseason opener at left sort out and will now swap to proper sort out — saying, “He really is one of our best guys.”

During his profession, Pipkins has logged just over 3,000 snaps and began 41 video games at sort out, a transfer he’s comfy with.

“His best position is tackle, and that move was made earlier this offseason,” Harbaugh added. “I have all the confidence in the world in Trey.”

Caleb Murphy’s drive

Chargers linebacker Caleb Murphy runs after the ball during a preseason sport against the Detroit Lions on Thursday in Canton, Ohio.

(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)

From the opening kickoff this preseason, Murphy’s affect has been instant.

A particular teamer attempting to earn defensive snaps, Murphy sprinted downfield on the first play and pressured a fumble, setting up the Chargers in scoring place. On protection, he showcased his pass-rushing means, ending with three tackles, including one for a loss.

In his second training camp with the crew, the previous undrafted free agent is growing comfy in the defensive scheme, according to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Minter says the “arrow is pointing up” for Murphy in a aggressive room that also options fourth-round decide Kyle Kennard and second-year participant Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, all vying for the fourth edge rusher spot.

Nikko Reed’s battle

Chargers cornerback Nikko Reed returns an interception during a preseason sport against the Detroit Lions on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.

(Kirk Irwin / Associated Press)

With returning cornerbacks Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart and Ja’Sir Taylor — plus free-agent additions Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste — the percentages are slim for an undrafted rookie to break into the rotation.

But Nikko Reed, the previous Oregon Duck who has gone from digital unknown to making high-impact coverage performs virtually daily, is attempting to beat the percentages. His execution has translated from observe into a preseason sport, with a close to 60-yard pick-six last week.

“He’s definitely got a knack for making those types of plays,” Minter said.

Minter now desires to see if Reed can “take that next step” and persistently be that participant — “doing that in practice, doing that in a couple more games.”