Chargers hope to start win streak vs. Dolphins
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers received the news they've been waiting all season to hear. On Sunday, they'll look to bounce back from blowing a 10-point lead and falling to 1-2 when they visit the winless Miami Dolphins (0-3).
Running back Melvin Gordon reportedly called the team Wednesday and informed them he is ending his months-long holdout and returning to the team Thursday. While his return puts to rest the team's most pressing long-term concern, it doesn't address the Chargers' focus in the short term, as Gordon reportedly won't play Sunday.
The could mean the Chargers will continue to feed wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is coming off a 13-catch performance for a career-high 183 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-20 home loss to the Houston Texans last weekend.
The Chargers have lost two straight games and have had three touchdowns wiped out by penalties during that span. Two happened in Week 2 on the same drive, which ended with a lost fumble. The other led to a field goal against Houston.
"We keep shooting ourselves in the foot," Allen said. "Penalties every time we make a play -- we have to find a way to get over that."
Perhaps, though, Sunday will start a winning streak for the Chargers. Last season, they also started the season 1-2 before winning six straight games and finishing 12-4 on the year.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins will enter Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday as 17-point home underdogs, as Las Vegas clearly has no faith in a Miami team that has been outscored 133-16 in three games this season.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick started Miami's first two games before being benched in favor of Josh Rosen, the Arizona Cardinals' first-round pick in 2018.
Rosen is expected to start against the Chargers despite an injury to his throwing elbow.
Dolphins safety Bobby McCain (hamstring and shoulder injuries) missed Wednesday's practice, but Miami is set to get back star safety Reshad Jones for the Chargers game. Jones has been out due to an ankle injury.
In other injury news, wide receiver Albert Wilson (calf) is questionable, and starting right guard Danny Isidora (foot) was placed on injured reserve. Shaq Calhoun and Evan Boehm are battling to replace Isidora. Wide receiver Allen Hurns (concussion) is likely out.
It's easy to forget that -- at this point last year -- the Dolphins were 3-0. Since then, they are 4-12.
Brian Flores, Miami's first-year head coach, said he was happy with how Rosen managed the game last week in a 31-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. But Flores also cautioned Rosen -- through the media -- not to be reckless when he runs for first downs.
"I'd like to see him get out of bounds sooner," Flores said. "But he's a tough kid, and he wants to make plays."
Rosen's counterpart this Sunday -- Phillip Rivers -- is set to make his 212th consecutive regular-season start, second-most all-time after he passed Eli Manning last week. He'll break a tie with Manning on Sunday with his 223rd straight start including playoffs, which ranks third all-time.
Rivers is completing 66.4 percent of his passes so far this season for 944 yards and five touchdowns, with two interceptions.
Allen leads the NFL with 42 targets, 29 receptions and 404 yards through three games, while adding three touchdowns.
Among Chargers who missed practice on Wednesday were kicker Michael Badgley (groin), cornerback Casey Hayward (back), wideouts Mike Williams (back) and Travis Benjamin (hip) and tight end Virgil Green (groin). Badgley has yet to play this season.
Tight end Hunter Henry (knee) remains out for at least a few more weeks.
The Chargers have several players with Miami ties. The list includes: Benjamin (Miami Hurricanes); center Mike Pouncey (ex-Dolphin); middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (Hurricanes); Badgley (Hurricanes); safety Rayshawn Jenkins (Hurricanes); and defensive end Joey Bosa (played high school in Greater Miami area).
--Field Level Media
