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COSTA MESA — Chargers manager Brandon Staley didn’t marque promises, but helium hinted that moving backmost Austin Ekeler would apt play successful Sunday’s play opener against the Washington Football Team.
Ekeler returned to signifier Friday arsenic a constricted subordinate and was listed connected the Week 1 wounded study arsenic questionable. Ekeler missed Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices due to the fact that of a hamstring injury.
“He looked bully retired there,” Staley said erstwhile asked astir Ekeler playing Sunday. “Optimistic for sure.”
Staley said Ekeler felt discomfort successful his hamstring during Monday’s practice. Ekeler worked connected the broadside and assisted teammates with drills during the 2 practices helium missed.
“It wasn’t thing significant,” Staley said astir Ekeler’s hamstring injury. “We conscionable wanted to marque definite that these archetypal mates days of the week of signifier that helium kinda regenerated and got retired each that discomfort retired there. Yesterday helium was moving good and contiguous helium practiced.”
Staley said he’ll astir apt person 3 of the 4 moving backs connected the gameday roster, which is different denotation that Ekeler volition apt play successful Washington.
Justin Jackson could beryllium successful enactment to spot an summation successful snaps if Ekeler isn’t 100 percent healthy. Joshua Kelley and rookie Larry Rountree III are the different moving backs connected the 53-man roster.
There isn’t uncertainty astir close tackle Bryan Bulaga’s playing status. Bulaga was removed from the Week 1 wounded study and practiced afloat the full week. He’s been dealing with a hep and groin wounded the past fewer weeks.
“I was truly arrogant of him,” Staley said astir Bulaga. “He battled done that discomfort. … He’s conscionable a pro’s pro. Guy’s got existent toughness and I admit him and it’s that benignant of toughness that we’re going to request moving forward.”
Defensive backmost Trey Marshall (ankle) was ruled retired and fullback Gabe Nabers (knee) was removed from the wounded report. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel was the lone subordinate connected Washington’s wounded report. Samuel was placed connected the injured reserve database due to the fact that of a groin injury.
RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) participated successful signifier during the unfastened information to media. His archetypal signifier of the week #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) September 10, 2021
DERWIN, BOSA REUNITE
Chargers information Derwin James said helium was excited astir playing successful his archetypal regular-season opener with borderline rusher Joey Bosa.
The stars person lone played successful 12 regular-season games unneurotic since James entered the league successful 2018. Bosa missed the archetypal 9 games of James’ rookie play due to the fact that of a ft injury.
James has missed 27 games the past 2 seasons, including some play openers, due to the fact that of injuries.
“I’m excited,” James said. “I emotion that dude Bosa. He brings a batch of energy, and he’s a large subordinate to play with. We ever speech astir if some of america retired determination it’s going to beryllium a occupation for the offense. Finally, some of america get to spell retired determination connected Sunday.”
James is expected to play aggregate positions, from information to linebacker to borderline rusher. James said he’s learned tricks from Bosa connected however to unreserved the passer.
“Joey’s shown maine a lot,” James said. “How to perpetually enactment my hands. How to usage my velocity to my advantage. Of course, what works for him whitethorn not enactment for me. But (he teaches maine how) to usage my worldly to my advantage, going against moving backs and choky ends.”
ALLEN ON FACING WASHINGTON
Washington’s antiaircraft enactment gets astir of the attention, but Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen isn’t overlooking its secondary.
Allen volition apt beryllium matched often with cornerback William Jackson III, who near the Cincinnati Bengals successful escaped bureau to articulation Washington. Safety Landon Collins is steadfast again aft lone playing successful 7 games past season.
“Physical,” Allen said to picture the Washington secondary. “Obviously, they person Landon Collins back, bringing successful immoderate vigor there. (Jackson) is simply a large guy, a large athlete. I liked him successful Cincinnati. I thought helium played good past twelvemonth against us. He competes well. A first-round guy, truthful you person to bring your A-game.”
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