2 min read • August 04, 2022
Posted in
2021 record: 9-8 | 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 9.5
The Chargers spent big on their defense this offseason after Justin Herbert nearly took the team to the playoffs in his second season.
Los Angeles added veteran All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack and shutdown cornerback J.C. Jackson to an already talented roster that is expected to contend this season.
The Chargers will be healthy enough to take that leap, coming in with an SIC score of 94.3, one of the best in the NFL and the best in the division.
Mack missed the final 10 games of the 2021 campaign after undergoing foot surgery in late November to address an injury he suffered in Week 3.
His pro-bowl teammate, Derwin James, is on the PUP list to open camp as he recovers from a February shoulder surgery and negotiates a long-term extension heading into his fifth season.
The most concerning issue on defense is third-year linebacker Kenneth Murray, who is still 4-to-6 weeks away from the practice field after undergoing left ankle surgery in April to repair a lingering injury that ended his season in early October.
On the other side of the ball, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen all come in healthy after each star played 16 games and had near-career seasons in 2021.
Justin Herbert played in all 17 games and has yet to miss a game in his career.
The 31-year-old sack connoisseur suffered a foot injury Week 3 and, after initially playing through the injury, he underwent season-ending surgery the last week of November.
Despite his injury and rising age, the Chargers dealt for Mack, who the Docs believe will be clear of the foot issue as he creates one of the most dangerous pass-rush duos alongside Joey Bosa.
Mack has notched 40-or-fewer tackles and single-digit sacks in each of the last three seasons after averaging 54 tackles, 16 TFL, and 11 sacks in his first five.
James underwent shoulder surgery in February to repair a torn labrum that he picked up sometime in 2021, similar to fellow pro-bowlers Jalen Ramsey and Tee Higgins.
Like those two stars, James will be able to play Week 1, so long he can come to terms on a long-term extension with the Chargers.
James played in 15 games in 2021 after missing all of 2020 with a torn right meniscus and the first 11 games of 2019 with a right Jones fracture.
The all-purpose all-star missed only one game in 2021 – coming in Week 16 after landing on the COVID-19 list – despite suffering hamstring, hip, finger, and ankle injuries.
None of those injuries were significant and Ekeler comes into his sixth season with a clean bill of health, according to the Pro Football Docs.
The 27-year-old logged career-highs with 276 touches, 1,558 yards, and 20 touchdowns and there is no reason to believe that he isn’t capable of putting up similar production in 2022.
Written by
