Los Angeles

Chargers

Michel will likely be trying for a roster spot as a Cam Akers backup. It doesn’t say much positive about Kyren Williams and Zach Evans that they didn’t show enough in offseason practices to keep this from happening. Michel will be the most experienced backup on the roster if he makes it and would likely be the No. 2 back on early-down plays.

Herbert has been participating in OTAs and mandatory minicamp despite his reported “ongoing” contract negotiations with the Chargers. His participation in offseason programs is enough to suggest he’ll participate in training camp when it starts off next month, but he didn’t fully rule out the possibility of a “hold in,” -- which is short for reporting to camp but not participating in order to avoid being fined. Herbert did note, “The role of a quarterback is to be out there for his team and do everything he can to put that team in a position to win,” but sounded anything but committed to participating in camp without a new deal. We wouldn’t expect this “hold in” to come to fruition, but the possibility can’t be ruled out.

His exact quote was: “I’m gonna be ready for training camp. I’m gonna be ready for Week 1. I’m gonna be ready whenever my name is called.” Jackson has a lot to prove in year two of his megadeal after looking a bust for the first few games before tearing his patellar tendon. The Chargers have not added much to the room this year, so they are counting on a comeback season.

Jackson, who tore his patellar tendon in Week 7, has resumed running and cutting at eight months from surgery. The Chargers have yet to put a timetable on Jackson but he’s expected to be available at some point this year. Getting cleared for limited OTAs has Jackson on track to be ready for the start of the season.

The Athletic’s Chargers beat, Daniel Popper, writes: “This is not Joe Lombardi’s offense anymore. That much is clear.” He describes Herbert taking a ton of deep shots within the structure of the offense in OTAs, attempting five throws of at least 40 yards downfield out of 15 reps in one period, then coming back with four other deep balls in a second period. Herbert has always had the arm to take these kinds of shots, and being out of Lombardi’s safety-focused offense opens up a pathway to elite QB1 upside for Herbert in 2023.

Just days after The Athletic’s Daniel Popper shared that Herbert was planning on participating in team drills this week, the veteran quarterback was officially on the field Wednesday. Herbert has been recovering from labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder since January but appears to be ramping things up with mandatory minicamps just around the corner. Assuming all goes as planned, Herbert should continue his participation in drills ahead of minicamp and should be a full participant in training camp come July. His return to team drills is yet another step in the right direction toward his recovery.

As The Athletic’s Daniel Popper pointed out via Twitter, Herbert participating in 7-on-7 drills would mark the first time he’s participated in team drills this offseason. Herbert underwent labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in January and has been working his way back to the field. With mandatory minicamps set to begin next week, Herbert nearing a return to drills is a good sign he’ll be ready when training camp kicks off in July. Considering the nature of his surgery and the fact that it was on his non-throwing shoulder, we’d expect Herbert to be ready to go come Week 1.

Neither did Jalen Guyton (knee), who tore his ACL last year. This is the first we’re hearing of an injury for Palmer, so it’s something worth monitoring, but The Athletic’s Daniel Popper noted him as an “injured player.” It likely isn’t something to be too concerned about. Palmer’s fantasy stock has taken a major hit with Los Angeles drafting Quentin Johnson in the first round, and he’ll likely be needing an injury to achieve fantasy relevance this year.

Slater went down in Week 3 with a biceps tear and should participate fully in training camp. He told reporters at Chargers camp that he’s working out with O-Line trainer Duke Manyweather. His return should benefit the Chargers immensely and help new OC Kellen Moore throw more deep passes this year.

Heading into his age-28 season, it’s all Ekeler could muster after threatening to hold out for an extension. The team’s front office never expressed any interest in awarding Ekeler a long-term deal. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the 2023 season and will almost certainly play for another team in 2024. Ekeler, among the most productive backs in the league over the past two seasons, was scheduled to make $6.25 million in the final year of his deal with LA. After leading all running backs in targets and receptions last season, Ekeler is well worth a top-15 selection in PPR formats this summer.