Bolts From The Blue
Chargers tight end Stone Smartt is now atop the depth chart entering Week 15 with both Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst sidelined.
The Chargers are back at home this week after back-to-back road games. The 7-6 Buccaneers are up this week with aspirations of winning the NFC South following the collapse of the Falcons who had the division lead for most of the season.
Justin Herbert is hobbled, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see the quarterback do everything in his power to play on Sunday. He seems in good spirits and has already noted that he feels better this week compared to his previous ankle sprain during the Panthers game in Week Two.
The Buccaneers on the other end are banged up, to say the least. They had nearly double-digit DNPs on their Thursday injury report and that included some big names that would be huge reliefs for the Chargers should they sit out Sunday.
Without further ado, here are the three storylines I’ll be following closely when these two teams take the field on Sunday.
When Will Dissly went down with a shoulder injury just before halftime against the Chiefs this past Sunday, the Chargers were forced to turn to Smartt who was the next best pass-catcher at the position.
Now faced with his biggest opportunity this season, Smartt responded with a three-catch, 54-yard performance in the final 30 minutes that was pivotal in the Chargers’ comeback attempt to take the lead in the third quarter after facing a 13-0 halftime deficit. His first two receptions were for 20+ yards and both led to touchdowns several plays later. His third and final reception was a nine-yard gain on third-and-seven.
Now Smartt enters Week 15 as the starter with both Dissly and Hayden Hurst out with injuries. Tucker Fisk will be available, but he’s been a run-blocking specialist since joining the active roster. This will be Smartt’s show through the air.
The Chargers have simply not been able to run the ball all that effectively since J.K. Dobbins was placed on injured reserve and, if we’re being honest, they weren’t doing it all that effectively with him, either.
This week, the Chargers get to face the Buccaneers defense that ranks 25th in run defense grade by Pro Football Focus. While their true rank in rush yards allowed is actually 11th in the NFL, that numbers a bit skewed as the team’s pass defense allows 253.4 yards per game which ranks 30th. Teams haven’t racked up a lot of rushing yards against them because they haven’t had to. But per PFF’s grades, it looks like they’re just as susceptible on the ground, as well.
With Justin Herbert nursing an ankle injury, swelling in his left knee, and a left thigh contusion, the Chargers MUST find a way to move the ball consistently on the ground. This...
