LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-7)
New faces: C Mike Pouncey Tim Heed Jersey , TE Virgil Green, S Derwin James, LB Uchenna Nwosu, QB Geno Smith, PK Caleb Sturgis, PK Roberto Aguayo.
Key losses: S Tre Boston, TE Antonio Gates, DL Jeremiah Attaochu, TE Hunter Henry (injury) Youth Tyler Pitlick Jersey , CB Jason Verrett (injury).
Strengths: Ample talent in place to build on last season’s finish of nine wins in 12 games. Philip Rivers back for 13th consecutive season as starter along with formidable receiver corps led by Pro Bowler Keenan Allen. Pouncey already giving boost to run game with Melvin Gordon. Defense largely unchanged, but restocked with draft picks including James, Nwosu. Edge rusher Melvin Ingram has been monster in preseason. Have one of NFL’s easier schedules and have five-game winning streak at tiny StubHub Center, clearly unaffected by presence of opponents’ fans.
Weaknesses: Already lost starting TE Henry, former Pro Bowl CB Verrett to season-ending injury. Defense could be uneven, possibly lacking depth with questionable quality at linebacker and interior line. Run defense still not impressive after struggling last season. Still waiting to identify new kicker after four guys took turns failing at position last year, likely costing playoff berth with early-season woes.
Fantasy Players To Watch: WR Mike Williams. Last season’s seventh overall pick made no impact after starting slowly due to injury. That could change in huge way this season. Tall, speedy receiver has been outstanding in practices and preseason games, presenting big target for Rivers. Williams could be huge bargain in many leagues.
Vegas Says: Super Bowl 15-1. Over/under wins 9.5.
Expectations: Bolts believe they’ve got Super Bowl contender after encouraging finish to last season. Season opener against Chiefs should establish early favorite in AFC West. Rivers poised for another strong season with no signs of slowing down. Continuity on roster and coaching staff should boost chances. Must survive six-week midseason stretch with only one home game and trip to London. If Chargers can avoid injury problems that popped up repeatedly for previous teams Youth Matt Nieto Jersey , future looks bright.
Wearing a brace around his surgically repaired left knee, Carson Wentz participated in all of the Philadelphia Eagles' first training camp practice Thursday.
About seven months and two weeks removed from tearing two knee ligaments in a December game against the Rams, Wentz took a handful of reps, mainly leading the second-team offense.
"I thought he was comfortable," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. "He did some nice things today. It was very, very limited obviously, but we didn't do too much. I think we had 30 offensive plays. It was good. It was a good first start for everybody."
The Eagles practiced for about two hours and weren't in pads. None of their drills involved serious contact or tackling. The team doesn't usually practice in pads or tackle for the first three days of practice.
Nick Foles, who replaced Wentz and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, worked with the first offense Thursday in Wentz's place. Foles said he doesn't need any commitment at some point from the coaches that he is or isn't the starter for the Sept. 6 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field.
Wentz said he hasn't yet received medical clearance for contact. Pederson offered no timetable for when the team expects Wentz to be cleared for contact practices and also didn't say if Wentz would play in the preseason.
Also undetermined Alexander Kerfoot Jersey , or just unannounced: How far along Wentz is right now toward full recovery and whether Wentz can expect to be cleared to start on Sept. 6.
"I'm not going to push him or get him out there sooner than he has to," Pederson added. "I want to make sure that he's 100 percent. He looked good today, and we're just going to continue to progress."
Wentz said any decision to clear him for contact practice or a preseason game would be made in conjunction with Pederson and the team's medical staff. Wentz, who set the team record for touchdown passes in a season last year with 33, didn't specify if he believes it's necessary to play in the preseason.
"My goal is Sept. 6," he said. "We'll see what happens with all that. But when I'm ready, I'll be ready."
Pederson sidestepped questions about the long-term plan for Wentz, or even a plan for when Wentz would take snaps with the first-team offense.
Asked when he needed to switch from a rehab mindset to a season preparation approach for his quarterback, Pederson said that he wasn't in any hurry to make that decision.
"We got a lot of time Tyler Bozak Jersey ," Pederson said, when asked about shifting from rehab mode to season preparation. "Six weeks is a lot of time. A lot time. We're still evaluating everybody. I can't tell you exactly when that's going to be during camp, but ... I'm not going to push him. He and I are married to this deal, you know what I'm saying?"
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