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Chargers at Vikings Grades - John Breitenbach
More positively, Travis Benjamin looks like the perfect deep complement to Keenan Allen. The former Brown caught a pair of first downs (17 yards) from five targets, generating separation throughout. RB Melvin Gordon, meanwhile, carried four times for 51 yards and a touchdown, breaking two tackles in the process. Right tackle Chris Hairston played mostly with the backups once Joe Barksdale was injured, but filled in admirably allowing just two pressures from 27 dropbacks.
Fantasy strategy: Odd approaches that might work - Mike Tagliere (subscription)
All suspended guys? Zero-WR? Waiting as long as possible on quarterback AND tight end? Mike Tagliere runs through some crazy ideas.
AFC Notes: Patriots, Broncos, Woodhead - Rory Parks
However, contract talks between team and player prior to training camp were unproductive, with the Chargers determining it was not in position to extend Woodhead for a variety of cited factors, including cash committed to other contracts this year. Woodhead, though, will not publicly comment on his contract situation, and simply indicated a desire to focus on the 2016 season.
Chargers' Melvin Gordon extends impressive preseason run in loss to Vikings - Eric Williams
Former CFL standout Dexter McCoil had another impressive day, finishing with a game-high 10 combined tackles and also forcing a fumble. In need of a playmaker in the back end defensively, the Chargers might have to find a role for McCoil.
Barksdale, Oliver injured in third preseason game vs. Vikings - Annie Heilbrunn
More important than a meaningless preseason score is who left the field because of injury, and the Chargers lost in that area. Right tackle Joe Barksdale was rolled on by teammate Orlando Franklin and left the field with an ankle injury. Running back Branden Oliver, who suffered a season-ending toe injury last year, was carted off the field with an Achilles injury in the second quarter. Oliver had worked hard to come back this season and was having a strong preseason before getting hurt.