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The Chargers had a pleasant start to preseason play with a 27-7 road win over the Houston Texans last week.<\/p>\n
Now, after a physical joint practice with the 49ers on Tuesday in El Segundo, the Chargers will host San Francisco on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.<\/p>\n
Here are five things to watch for during the Chargers\u2019 second preseason game.<\/p>\n
Chargers center Tyler Biadasz went down after 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez fell on his left leg during a drill. He reportedly sustained an ACL injury.<\/p>\n
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said his team\u2019s first-stringers will play one series against the 49ers after the backups saw most of the action in Houston.<\/p>\n
\u201cA real dress rehearsal for Game 1, not wanting those first snaps to be Game 1,\u201d Harbaugh said.<\/p>\n
Not all of the Chargers\u2019 starters will play against the 49ers, though.<\/p>\n
Center Tyler Biadasz is out indefinitely after suffering a left knee injury in Tuesday\u2019s joint practice with San Francisco. And offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, who has missed the Chargers\u2019 last eight practices, is scheduled to return to practice over the weekend \u2014 after Thursday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Others could be given the night off, too.<\/p>\n
Regardless, getting a glimpse of any sort of starting lineup should help paint a picture of what the Chargers will have to work with during the regular season.<\/p>\n
How will the Chargers operate in Biadasz\u2019s absence?<\/p>\n
Rookie offensive lineman Jake Slaughter, who played center in college before becoming a serious candidate to win the Chargers\u2019 left guard competition, played well at center in Houston and filled in for Biadasz during Tuesday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take it as a blessing that I can help the team in any way that I can,\u201d Slaughter said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, veteran offensive lineman Kayode Awosika has recently seen first-team reps at left guard in practice; is it his job to lose now with Slaughter\u2019s focus elsewhere?<\/p>\n