Outside of edge defender Joey Bosa, there has hardly been that much pressure generated on opposing quarterbacks.
Following EDGE Melvin Ingram being placed on the injured reserve last month, the Chargers have experimented with Uchenna Nwosu and Jerry Tillery at the position, but the results haven’t been inspiring.
In hopes of generating a spark, Los Angeles has decided to promote 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Isaac Rochell to starter this weekend against the Falcons.
Coach Anthony Lynn said Rochell will play big end, the position primarily played by Bosa, while Bosa plays LEO and Nwosu plays strongside linebacker in base packages, like he did last week. Tillery will rotate in.
Lynn cited to Tillery’s penalties that have been ongoing as of late as one of the reasons for the change. He didn’t go into detail as to why Nwosu isn’t getting extended reps, but his shoulder injury could be a reason why.
Rochell, a seventh-round pick of the 2017 NFL draft, has 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss this season.
With Ingram set to hit free agency and the team experimenting with other edge defenders in the final stretch of the season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Chargers address the position in the first couple of rounds in the 2021 NFL draft.
