Jamaree

Salyer

It’s great news for Herbert as Salyer is the best option the Chargers currently have at left tackle. He’ll be an incremental upgrade for Herbert after leaving Week 17’s loss to the Texans, likely sending Austin Deculus back to the bench. CB Donte Jackson (ankle) will also play in this one and was removed from the injury report as well.

Vidal injured his neck in Week 16 and was unable to play in Week 17. He practiced throughout Week 18, including two full sessions to close the week. Forecasting Vidal’s role is difficult, with the Chargers declaring QB Justin Herbert, S Derwin James Jr., RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), S Elijah Molden (hamstring), OLB Tuli Tuipulotu, OT Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and C Bradley Bozeman (concussion) inactive for Week 18 against the Broncos. The team is clearly trying to preserve its health for the postseason and Vidal has meaningfully contributed to the offense this season. While we tentatively expect him to start, RB Hassan Haskins (concussion) and RB Jaret Patterson could also be regularly involved. Patterson is the backfield’s lone fully healthy player.

Salyer went down with the hamstring issue in Week 16 and did not suit up last week. With little to play for this week, he will rest up ahead of LA’s upcoming Wild Card Round game. Austin Deculus is the favorite to start at left tackle in Week 18.

He was initially questionable to return, but ruled out. Austin Deculus took over at left tackle. It hasn’t slowed down the Chargers so far as Los Angeles has scored on every possession against the Cowboys.

Vidal deserves credit in this one. The fill-in starting running back served as the engine of the offense, touching the ball six times on the Chargers’ opening drive. He ripped off a 59-yard touchdown on the fifth drive, shooting the gap created by OL Jamaree Salyer after catching the pitch from QB Justin Herbert. Vidal easily strode through a shoestring tackle and broke loose down the left sideline for the score. Vidal could still be FLEX-viable against the Eagles next week if RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) returns from injured reserve. but he has an RB2 case if Hampton remains sidelined.

We don’t really understand this one on the surface. The Chargers are projected to have to cut a lot of salary to get under the cap in 2023, and Pipkins has had a fairly uninspiring career to this point, as he’s either been hurt or underwhelming. 2022 was the first season where Pipkins played more than 600 offensive snaps, and his PFF grade was merely 59.8 this past season. Popper posits that the team will move Jamaree Salyer inside and release Matt Feiler to free up $6.5 million in cap space. We’d probably prefer Salyer at right tackle.

With Rashawn Slater (biceps) out for the season, Staley picked the unknown over the known and bad Storm Norton, who was destroyed by Jaguars defenders on Sunday as Slater’s replacement. “We’re making a change to put the best five guys that we feel like give us a chance,” Staley said. Justin Herbert’s blind side looks to be an issue going forward, including in Week 4’s game against the Texans.

This was the initial fear, and it’s been confirmed that Slater needs season-ending surgery. It’s yet another horrible blow for the Chargers, who will now be forced to start sixth-round rookie Jamaree Salyer on Justin Herbert’s blind side. It could lead to the Chargers’ tight ends needing to block more. Slater, on the other hand, should be ready for a normal offseason next year as he heads into his third season.

Salyer (6’3/321) was a four-year contributor and two-year starter after signing with Georgia as a five-star recruit. During his time in Athens, he played all five positions with most of his snaps the past two seasons coming at left tackle. Salyer is a wide-bodied power blocker with very active hands and a stable base. His lack of length and lateral quickness means a move inside to guard is coming at the next level. Salyer will need to be coached out of a habit of getting out over his skis and lunging into contact helmet-first. Assuming that happens, he should be a long-term starter at guard with the versatility to provide emergency depth at all five positions.

Losing Salyer (6'4/325) a year early is slightly unexpected. He missed a few games during the season with a foot injury, but played well throughout the year. He helped the Bulldogs rack up 442.8 yards per game and allow only 16 sacks on the season.