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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.
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.
Here are five things to watch for during the Chargersâ second preseason game.
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.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said his teamâs first-stringers will play one series against the 49ers after the backups saw most of the action in Houston.
âA real dress rehearsal for Game 1, not wanting those first snaps to be Game 1,â Harbaugh said.
Not all of the Chargersâ starters will play against the 49ers, though.
Center Tyler Biadasz is out indefinitely after suffering a left knee injury in Tuesdayâs joint practice with San Francisco. And offensive tackle Rashawn Slater, who has missed the Chargersâ last eight practices, is scheduled to return to practice over the weekend â after Thursdayâs game.
Others could be given the night off, too.
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.
How will the Chargers operate in Biadaszâs absence?
Rookie offensive lineman Jake Slaughter, who played center in college before becoming a serious candidate to win the Chargersâ left guard competition, played well at center in Houston and filled in for Biadasz during Tuesdayâs practice.
âI take it as a blessing that I can help the team in any way that I can,â Slaughter said.
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 Slaughterâs focus elsewhere?
