By Jeff Miller- LA Times
For the second consecutive training camp, the Chargers watched Derwin James hobble off the field with a member of the team’s medical staff.
The standout safety suffered a reported meniscus injury to his right knee Sunday in the second half of a scrimmage in Costa Mesa and did not return. The NFL Network reported that James is “likely to miss significant time.”
He was scheduled to undergo further testing in an attempt to determine the severity.
Last August, James was hurt on the same field in a joint practice with the Saints.
He suffered a foot injury on that occasion and ended up needing surgery. James missed 11games before returning in early December, by which time the Chargers had lost seven times en route to a 5-11 finish.
After remaining down briefly Sunday, he limped to the sideline before heading to the medical tent. James tossed his gloves aside in frustration before disappearing from view.
Rookie Alohi Gilman, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame in April, has been backing up James in practice. Nasir Adderley, a second-round selection in 2019, is No. 2 behind Rayshawn Jenkins at free safety. Adderley missed most of last season because of a hamstring problem.
Desmond King started at the position the game before James returned last year. King has been playing mostly nickel in practice but has trained at safety in the past.
The Chargers have depth in the secondary but no one who can provide the consistent playmaking of James. Any long-term loss would be a tough blow for a defense that was forecast to be among the AFC’s best.
Veteran safety and seven-time Pro Bowl player Earl Thomas is available after being released last week by Baltimore. A longtime Seattle Seahawk, Thomas would be familiar with the Chargers’ scheme.
He was let go abruptly after an on-field altercation with Ravens safety Chuck Clark. Baltimore announced it was terminating his contract, making Thomas a free agent.
As a rookie in 2018, James started all 16 games and finished with a team-high 109 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and three interceptions. James started in the Pro Bowl and was named an All-Pro.
The Chargers already are dealing with the loss of one of their top playmakers on offense, wide receiver Mike Williams, whose status for the start of the season is in doubt because of a shoulder injury.
They originally were scheduled to scrimmage Thursday at SoFi Stadium. But coach Anthony Lynn canceled that practice after an emotional team meeting regarding the recent shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.
The Chargers returned to the field at Jack Hammett Sports Complex on Sunday morning and scrimmaged for about 75minutes. The practice marked the final official day of training camp.
Other players who were attended to by medical personnel during the workout included right guard Trai Turner, running back Justin Jackson and wide receiver Darius Jennings.
Notable
Disgruntled pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue is headed north, far away from Jacksonville. A person familiar with the trade says the Jaguars agreed to send Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings for a second-round draft pick in 2021 and a conditional fifth-rounder in 2022. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The person said Ngakoue agreed to rework his 2020 salary to get out of Jacksonville. Ngakoue still has to sign his one-year franchise tender with the Jaguars to make the deal happen. He had been the league’s only franchise-tagged player unsigned, opting to turn down an offer that would have guaranteed him $17.8 million this season. He will now make roughly $13 million in 2020, the person said.
The Jets’ once seemingly deep running back group is suddenly a bit short-handed. Rookie fourth-rounder La’Mical Perine injured his left ankle during the team’s practice. New York acquired Kalen Ballage from Miami on Thursday, but the running back failed his physical and reverted back to the Dolphins — voiding the trade.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Miller writes for the L.A. Times.
Tag: Derwin James
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Chargers Safety Derwin James Hurt Again
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Derwin James Has Emerged As Early NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year Candidate
Chargers safety Derwin James has emerged as an early Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate with his play in Los Angeles. James played 43 snaps at free safety in the season opener against the Chiefs. However, in week 2 against the Bills, James played more at the line of scrimmage, consistently making plays in the backfield as a blitzer. James filled up the stat sheet. He led the Chargers in tackles with eight. James also added his second sack of the season, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit and a pass breakup. “We practiced it all week,” (week 2) James said about the Chargers moving him around defensively. “I was everywhere. I played a couple reps at free safety. I played a couple reps at strong safety, I played a couple reps at linebacker. I was just everywhere.” He’s definitely a beast,” said safety Adrian Phillips, when asked how much L.A.’s defense missed Bosa. “That’s my guy right there, but when he’s gone, other guys have to step up. “So when Chris Landrum and Isaac [Rochell] get in there- and we’ve still got Melvin [Ingram] in there, you can’t forget about that – we just went into a mindset that we’re an attacking defense. And that’s what we’re going to do: attack.”
Bosa has been out since the first week of August, so the Chargers have had to learn how to generate pressure without the Ohio State product. While they struggled to do that against the Chiefs, the Bolts now seem to have a more creative strategy to get to the quarterback. Playing multiple positions along the defense is exactly what James did at Florida State. Last year, for example, he played 292 snaps at free safety, 260 snaps in the box, 188 snaps at slot corner and 69 snaps on the line of scrimmage as an edge defender. That kind of versatility is especially valuable in today’s game as offenses look to exploit linebackers and safeties in coverage more and more. James is certainly not a weakness in coverage, and he plays well as both a run defender and a pass-rusher, which allows a team to move him all over the field. Since the Bills game, James has simply been on fire! The Chargers are being rewarded for utilizing James’ ability to play multiple positions, as well, as he has played 103 snaps at free safety, 80 snaps in the box, 28 snaps as an edge defender and 36 snaps in the slot. Throughout all those positions, the rookie safety has been very impressive in coverage thus far, having been targeted 13 times and allowing just six receptions for 34 yards. To add to that, Derwin has been making plays on the ball when it is thrown his way. Three of those 13 targets against James have either been intercepted or broken up by him.
Another, more unconventional area where James has excelled is rushing the passer. In just 22 pass-rush snaps, he has totaled nine pressures – four hurries, two hits and three sacks. As a safety, he ranks second on the Chargers in total pressures through four games. That sort of pass-rush production isn’t a fluke, either. James showcased his ability to get after the passer with the Seminoles in 2017, and last season his 10 pressures in just 38 pass-rush snaps were good for a pass-rush productivity of 14.5 which ranked fifth among qualifying FBS safeties.
With all that ability to get after the passer combined with the playmaking ability he has shown in coverage, James is a spark on defense that can ignite and create a big play on any given snap. Add in his proficiency in run support, and the Chargers have one of the best young defensive weapons in the NFL on their hands. James’ play over the first quarter of the season makes it clear, the Chargers got one of the best football players in this draft with the 17th overall selection. Yes it is still early, but can you say definitely consider James as possible NFL Defensive Rookie of the year.
At the quarter mark of the season, the rookie out of Florida State leads the Chargers in tackles, plus he has three sacks, a tackle for loss, six passes defensed and an interception.
Derwin James is everywhere on tape, its crazy. Lines up everywhere and finds a way to impact the play. Want to find him? Find the ball: pic.twitter.com/DxvGOOneFH
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) October 3, 2018
Top graded rookie safeties 2018:
Derwin James (Chargers) 87.9
Jessie Bates (Bengals) 74.3
Jordan Whitehead (Bucs) 64.0
Justin Reid (Texans) 62.4
Terell Edmunds (Steelers) 53.4
D.J.Reed Jr. (40ers) 52.2 -
Chargers rookie Derwin James determined to be a leader on defense
Derwin James, the Chargers’ first pick at No. 17 overall, was in the room when the team’s second- and third-round selections first arrived at the practice facility. He already was welcomed when the Chargers rounded out their draft class and signed undrafted free agents.
And because he was picked first, you might expect him to set the tone for the rest of the rookie class. Well, James would’ve done that anyway.
“I feel like I’m a natural leader. Even if I came last, I’d still try and be a leader,” James said. “I just want to lead this group however I can, come out and practice hard every day.”
While minicamp is more of an orientation than an evaluation period, James and fellow rookies went through their first NFL practice Friday. It’s hard to stand out this early in the process. Still, James managed to do so.
“He’s an alpha dog, no doubt about it,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. “He is a leader, and that’s why we brought him on this team. It’s just a matter of time before his intangibles start to show.”
Friday, James played closer to the line of scrimmage, a possible sign that the Chargers view him as their strong safety, which could push Jahleel Addae farther from the line of scrimmage than last season.
But one reason so many pundits were high on James’ selection is because of his versatility.
“They’re just trying to take it step by step, let me learn one position. And if they see me somewhere else, they’ll probably just let me learn that position,” James said. “They’ve said just focus on one position for now.”
Regardless of where he was on the field, James was just happy to be playing football again.
“Today when I got here for the first time, put my Chargers helmet on, it felt great,” he said.
One center to another
Former UCLA center and Chargers fifth-round pick Scott Quessenberry walked onto the practice field wearing No. 61 for the team he grew up rooting for — the same number as longtime Chargers center Nick Hardwick.
“They gave me a list of numbers. It was one that stood out for me because I was the biggest Nick Hardwick fan in the world growing up,” Quessenberry said. “I had his jersey.
“I chose it, and there was some backlash, but when I heard Nick gave me his blessing — he said ’61 deserves to be out there on the field fighting, not hanging up in the rafters.’ — I was really honored. I’m really excited to be wearing his number. I’m going to do whatever I can to honor it.”
In his first day with the team, Quessenberry played left and right guard in addition to center.
“As a center, you’ve got to know everybody’s job on the line,” he said. “That’s kind of what I see myself as down the line, so that was the first thing I did. I tried to learn what every guy’s doing on every play. I didn’t think I was playing guard today, so when they told me I was kicking out to guard, it was an easy transition.”
Five of the Chargers’ draft picks, including USC’s Uchenna Nwosu, signed their rookie contracts. Only James and third-round pick Justin Jones, a defensive tackle, haven’t signed. … The team also announced 13 non-contract participants for rookie minicamp, including Utah quarterback Troy Williams and UCLA tight end Austin Roberts.
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Chargers Draft Impressive Safety Derwin James as First Round Surprise
There’s no way the Chargers thought they had realistic shot at landing James before Thursday night. Thanks to some odd choices by other teams, Los Angeles adds to its already impressive core of young defensive players. James is an explosive athlete who can be an enforcer in the box, cover slot receivers or play deep safety.
The Chargers needed a more physical presence to help improve a run defense that allowed a league-worst 4.9 yards per carry. They appear to have done that, getting a steal in James at No. 17. The former FSU safety replaces Tre Boston, who did not return to the Chargers in free agency.
“I’m ready to come and contribute right away,” said James, projected by many draft analysts as a top-10 pick. “I’ve got something to prove, because 16 teams passed me.”
At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, James has been compared to the Seattle Seahawks‘ thumper because of his physicality and speed. James also offers versatility, with an ability to play both safety positions, nickel cornerback and outside linebacker. James recorded 84 combined tackles — including 5.5 for loss — a sack, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions in his final season at Florida State, earning second-team All-America honors. James said he’s fully healed from a meniscus tear he suffered in his left knee in Week 2 of the 2016 season that cut short his sophomore year.
Athleticism a strong suit: James is a rangy athlete who put on a show at the combine. James proved an easy mover during the on-field drills, and his results from the physical testing were even more impressive. James pushed 21 bench-press reps at 225 pounds, posted a 40-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump. He also ran a quick, 4.48-second 40-yard time.
What’s next: The Chargers currently have two picks in Day 2, the No. 48 pick in the second round and No. 84 in the third round. Even though the Chargers selected James in the first round, they could still use some more help on the defensive side of the ball, so look for the Chargers to draft a linebacker on Day 2.
The botton line: Derwin James was one of the best picks the Chargers have made in a long time. Literally a slam dunk!
Derwin James is everywhere on tape, its crazy. Lines up everywhere and finds a way to impact the play. Want to find him? Find the ball: pic.twitter.com/DxvGOOneFH
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) October 3, 2018