The Chargers had seven players miss practice on Wednesday. The list looks like this:
OLB Jeremiah Attaochu – ankle
ILB Jatavis Brown – knee
ILB Denzel Perryman – hamstring
CB Craig Mager – concussion
TE Hunter Henry – knee
WR Travis Benjamin – knee
WR Tyrell Williams – knee
That is a lot of linebackers and a lot of wide receivers. The Bolts might be OK at linebacker. They still have Melvin Ingram, Kyle Emanuel, Joshua Perry, Tourek Williams, Chris Landrum and Korey Toomer, and the way Perryman has been able to overcome injury he might be able to play Sunday against the Titans.
It’s the wide receiver spot that is the true concern. Benjamin is nursing a knee ligament strain that will only get better with rest. Williams hurt his knee against the Falcons and said on Wednesday he could not get in and out of his cuts as well as he wanted in Denver. Tyrell committed to being available on Sunday against Tennessee but it will be at less than 100 percent.
In need of bodies the Chargers signed Jeremy Butler on Halloween. Butler has spent time with the Jets and Buccaneers but not appeared in a game this season. In 2015 with the Ravens Butler caught 31 passes for 363 yards. The good news with him is, if he is forced in to action on Sunday, the learning curve might not be too terribly steep.
“The way they call the formations is kind of similar to some of the offenses I’ve been in,” said Butler after his first practice in San Diego. “So it’s all kind of carrying over a little bit but it’s still a whole new system you’ve got to adjust to and learn.”
And what does the new guy bring to the Chargers offense? Other than a healthy body, that is?
“Just playmaking,” said Butler. “If you put the ball in my area I’m coming down with it.”
With all the injuries this team has suffered over the years the Chargers quarterback is used to working with new guys on short notice. He liked what he saw from Butler on Day 1.
“I really was impressed how sharp he was,” said Philip Rivers. “He didn’t break the huddle with a funny look on his face. He knew where to go. You could tell he has a feel for it.”
