The Chargers’ edge room just got a lot more complicated.
With roster cuts drawing near, Los Angeles has some hard calls to make, and one of the most revealing came from defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary when he was asked about veteran pass rusher Bud Dupree. O’Leary said he has been impressed by what Dupree has shown in training camp, and his tone suggested the veteran may be much more in the mix than many expected.
“He’s big, he’s physical. He was a first round pick.
He’s a special talent. So all those things.
And I just think he’s been consistent, executed his job. I think he’s been physical.
So I don’t think his career is dwindling. I think he has a lot left” via ESPN’s Kris Rhim.
That’s a strong endorsement at this stage of the preseason, especially with cuts coming fast. Dupree had looked like an afterthought in a crowded competition, but O’Leary’s comments point to a possible shift in how the Chargers are viewing him.
The battle on the edge is already packed. First-round pick Akheem Mesidor is expected to step in right away after going No. 22 overall, while Kyle Kennard is trying to carve out a bigger role in his second season.
Undrafted rookie Nadame Tucker has also pushed his way into the conversation after a productive college run at Western Michigan, where he posted 14.5 sacks last season. Tucker has carried that momentum into the preseason, and O’Leary’s familiarity with him matters too, since he coached him last year.
Then there are the established names at the top of the group. Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu already hold major roles, which makes the fight for the remaining snaps even tighter.
That’s why O’Leary’s words about Dupree carry so much weight. If Dupree is really in the mix, the numbers game on the edge gets even more crowded.
For now, the Chargers appear to have a genuine battle unfolding, with Mesidor expected to play, Kennard trying to rise, and Dupree and Tucker pushing for their own spots. Every rep from here on out could help decide how this group looks when the regular season arrives.
In Other News...
Chargers Suddenly Have A Kicking Concern Fans Cant Ignore
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Dicker said he is fine, but Jim Harbaugh added a layer of uncertainty by noting the kicker is "working through something." For a Chargers team trying to keep special teams stable heading into the game against the Arizona Cardinals, the hope now is simple: Dicker is available, and whatever is nagging him does not linger into the regular season. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Roster Battle Got A Lot More Interesting Against The Rams
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For a team still sorting out the bottom end of the roster, performances like those only sharpen the debate. Herbert and Johnston showed the kind of big-play upside that can change a game in a hurry, but it was Desrosiers and Uiagalelei who may have made the late-August decision-making a little tougher. In a preseason game, those are exactly the kinds of snaps that matter. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Suddenly Have A Familiar Special Teams Decision To Make
Preseason special teams mistakes have put JK Scott back under the microscope in Los Angeles, and the Chargers are now in the familiar spot of weighing whether their longtime punter still gives them enough reliability. Scott has been with the team for four seasons, but a missed tackle on a return man and a low punt average have made this summer feel less stable than the staff would like heading into the regular season.
The Chargers are at least doing their homework on alternatives, with Thomas Morstead and Jamie Gillan among the names being discussed as possible answers if they decide to make a change. Gillan could be off the board soon, which adds a little urgency to a decision that is starting to look more like a true competition than a routine camp evaluation. [Read more 🡒]