The Chargers came out of Week 1 already trailing at halftime, with Arizona taking a 13-7 lead into the break and the early stretch exposing a few issues for Los Angeles on both sides of the ball.
Justin Herbert’s offense never really found a clean rhythm in the first half. Through the opening chunk of the game, Herbert had just 118 passing yards, and the Chargers’ run game was grinding out only 3.6 yards per carry.
That didn’t stop the team from making a notable change along the offensive line: on the third drive, Trey Pipkins was at left guard instead of Kayode Awosika. There was no indication of an injury, and while Harbaugh had previously pointed to Awosika as the starter, he also said a platoon was possible.
The tight end usage was just as interesting. Oronde Gadsden, the former hyped draft pick, didn’t get on the field until the third series, and the pecking order clearly had David Njoku and Charlie Kolar ahead of him.
But Gadsden made his first real touch count, grabbing a 26-yard catch soon after entering the game. If that keeps up, he can work his way out of the dog house fast.
There was also concern on the defensive front when Jamaree Caldwell was injured in the first half. He left with trainers and spent some time with them before later appearing back on the sideline as usual. That matters because the Chargers don’t have much depth to spare there, with only Nick Barrett behind him and just five defensive linemen total on the 53-man roster.
And then there was the broader feel of the game itself, which never quite shook the warning signs attached to it all week. The Chargers looked very much like a team in a trap game, and the numbers only sharpened that point: Jacoby Brissett had more passing yards than Herbert, rookie Jeremiyah Love was leading the game in rushing, and Kendrick Bourne was one of three Cardinals targets averaging more than 10 yards per catch.
In Other News...
Chargers Suddenly Have A Pass Rush Problem Before Week 1
The Chargers are heading into Week 1 with an early concern on the edge, as star pass-rusher Tuli Tuipulotu landed on the injury report as questionable for the matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. Jim Harbaugh did not get into the nature of the issue, and that leaves Los Angeles at least a little unsettled on a part of the roster it was counting on to set the tone.
Depth behind Tuipulotu is not exactly overflowing, either. Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree give the Chargers veteran help, and rookie Akheem Mesidor is in the mix, but any uncertainty around Tuipulotu immediately changes the picture for a pass rush that was supposed to be a strength. How much of a role he can handle, if any, is now one of the more important questions hanging over the opener. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face A Tricky Cardinals Backfield Problem In Week 1
The early test for the Chargers defense in Week 1 may come with a wrinkle in the Arizona backfield, where Jeremiyah Love is expected to make his NFL debut despite working back from a high ankle sprain. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft gives the Cardinals a new layer of talent to account for, even with veteran Tyler Allgeier listed ahead of him and Arizona signaling a plan to spread the touches around.
For Los Angeles, the challenge is less about whether Love will be active and more about how much of the game he actually shapes. The Chargers are preparing as if he could have a significant role, which is the safest approach against a rookie with his profile, but the uncertainty around his workload leaves the opener with a few moving parts before the first snap is even taken. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Opener Could Suddenly Test An Unproven Pass Rusher
Tuli Tuipulotus status is suddenly one of the quieter but more important questions hanging over the Chargers as they get ready for their season opener. The second-year edge rusher is listed as questionable because of a hip injury, and his availability matters because he is part of the group the Chargers are counting on to generate pressure early in the year.
Akheem Mesidor is the name to watch if Tuipulotu cannot go. The rookie could see a larger slice of the pass-rush rotation, and the Chargers have already shown belief in his upside. If the game plan opens the door, Mesidor may be in line for a meaningful NFL debut, with a chance to turn an unexpected injury situation into an early role. [Read more 🡒]