The 3-1 Chargers are hosting the 2-2 Commanders inside SoFi Stadium this weekend for their second game at home in 2025. They’ll be without left tackle Joe Alt and possibly right guard Mekhi Becton should he fail to pass through concussion protocol. If that’s the case, then it’s “all hands on deck” per offensive coordinator Greg Roman in regards to protecting Justin Herbert.
On the other side, quarterback Jayden Daniels is making his return to the field after missing the previous two weeks with a knee
injury. He’s as dangerous as they come and if the injury isn’t holding him back too much, he may end up giving the Chargers defense some fits.
Below are three things I’ll be watching closely when these two teams take the field on Sunday.
1.) How will the Chargers construct their offensive line for Sunday?
When the Chargers began their prep for the Commanders this week, the “starting” offensive line for Wednesday’s practice was (from left to right): Jamaree Salyer, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Foster Sarell, and Trey Pipkins. This was with Mekhi Becton being limited in the yellow “working through something” jersey.
On Thursday, Austin Deculus was back at left tackle while Salyer switched back to right guard. Becton was limited once again in the yellow jersey, but was more involved in individual drills.
On Friday, Becton finally shed the yellow jersey but remains questionable for Sunday due to needed one more hurdle to cross to get out of the concussion protocol.
If Becton cannot go then the Chargers will likely roll with one of the two main groups we saw on Wednesday and Thursday. In my opinion, I think you have to put Salyer at left tackle after the day Deculus had against the Giants. Can’t afford a repeat performance. That would mean Sarell gets the start at right guard. Not ideal, but I feel the best with that lineup this close to game day.
2.) How will the Commanders offense attack the Chargers defense without their top receiving threats
Before Washington put out their final injury report of Week Five, wideouts Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown were ruled out for this week’s game. McLaurin, the team’s WR1, also missed Week Four where they ended up losing in a close game to the Atlanta Falcons.
Former Niners star Deebo Samuel has been the team’s most-productive wideout since joining the team this offseason and it looks like — even after missing the first two practices of the week — he will play on Sunday, per head coach Dan Quinn. That at least gives the Commanders offense a decent floor, along with tight end Zach Ertz.
Not having to worry about McLaurin is a big relief, but the Bolts will still have to be on top of their business to make sure they don’t fall to 3-2 after a tremendous start to the year.
3.) Can the Chargers defense find a way to slow down Jayden Daniels’ scrambling ability?
In his first career start, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart scrambled for 54 yards on 10 carries, including a 15-yard touchdown on New York’s first drive of the game. The Chargers defense did find a way to limit his scrambling much better in the second half, but in such a close finish, the damage was already done by the time they figured it out.
Jayden Daniels is a completely different beast. As a rookie last year, Daniels finished behind only Lamar Jackson in rushing yards for a quarterback. That’s really great company to be next to in that facet. Now it should be noted that Daniels is expected to wear a knee brace as he returns to the field for the first time after his injury. It’s to de determined whether or not that brace will have an affect on his running, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to push it as if he wasn’t wearing one. If his legs will give his team the best chance at winning on Sunday, he’s going to give it all a go.
This could end up being a big game for linebacker Daiyan Henley as the main spy for Daniels. I’m not sure what happened against the Giants (Henley did NOT have a great time out there) but this is an excellent opportunity to get back on track for what looked like an All-Pro level season in the first two games of the schedule.
