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The Chargers had a pleasant start to preseason play with a 27-7 road win over the Houston Texans last week.
Now, after a physical joint practice with the 49ers on Tuesday in El Segundo, the Chargers will host San Francisco on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.
Here are five things to watch for during the Chargers’ second preseason game.
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For starters
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Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said his team’s first-stringers will play one series against the 49ers after the backups saw most of the action in Houston.
“A real dress rehearsal for Game 1, not wanting those first snaps to be Game 1,” Harbaugh said.
Not all of the Chargers’ starters will play against the 49ers, though.
Center Tyler Biadasz is out indefinitely after suffering a left knee injury in Tuesday’s joint practice with San Francisco. And offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, who has missed the Chargers’ last eight practices, is scheduled to return to practice over the weekend — after Thursday’s game.
Others could be given the night off, too.
Regardless, getting a glimpse of any sort of starting lineup should help paint a picture of what the Chargers will have to work with during the regular season.
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Makeshift O-line
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How will the Chargers operate in Biadasz’s absence?
Rookie offensive lineman Jake Slaughter, who played center in college before becoming a serious candidate to win the Chargers’ left guard competition, played well at center in Houston and filled in for Biadasz during Tuesday’s practice.
“I take it as a blessing that I can help the team in any way that I can,” Slaughter said.
Meanwhile, veteran offensive lineman Kayode Awosika has recently seen first-team reps at left guard in practice; is it his job to lose now with Slaughter’s focus elsewhere?
Offensive line coach Butch Barry must quickly figure out his unit’s direction, as Week 1 of the regular season is less than a month away and Biadasz’s health status appears discouraging.
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Herbert’s comfort
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All eyes have been on Justin Herbert this offseason as he adjusts to Mike McDaniel’s new-look offense.
The quarterback has worked diligently to change his shotgun stance, now putting his left foot in front of his right, and has sped up his decision making to get the ball to playmakers in space.
Thursday night’s game should offer a teaser of what Herbert and the Chargers’ offense are capable of.
“It’s great to see another defense,” Herbert said after Tuesday’s joint practice with San Francisco. “More reps for us to be able to see different defenses and different coverage. It was great for the offensive line, the receivers and everyone else as well.”
Herbert and the Chargers will get a closer look at the 49ers this week and again in Week 15, in yet another Thursday night game at SoFi Stadium.
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In defense
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While McDaniel and his system have been a hot topic throughout training camp, he isn’t the only new coordinator in town.
Thursday’s game will offer a similar peek at what Chris O’Leary’s starting defense has in store.
“Overall, we played together; we played fast; we played violent,” O’Leary said of the group’s performance in Houston. “The result was a good result for us. We see a lot of stuff we can clean up along the way.”
O’Leary’s defense followed up a strong opening game by playing well against the 49ers’ offense in Tuesday’s practice.
“Honestly, don’t think it was our best day,” San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy said.
The Chargers would like to hear Purdy — who might play Thursday, according to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan — say that again.
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Tuli to go?
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Tuli Tuipulotu didn’t participate in team periods early in training camp amid his ongoing contract negotiations with the Chargers.
Since then, Tuipulotu has been a full, normal participant for a string of weeks, despite still pursuing a new deal.
“Let the business handle business,” Tuipulotu said, adding, “I just love being on the field. Like, it sucks being on the sideline.”
Playing in live games, in which the stakes are higher and the risk of injury looms greater, is a different beast. It’ll be interesting to see if Tuipulotu plays alongside other starters against San Francisco.
The post Five things to watch for when the Chargers take on the 49ers in preseason action appeared first on Los Angeles Times.
