Chargers have tough Hill to climb in opposition to explosive Dolphins

Miami has Tua Tagovailoa, who Wednesday was introduced because the chief in fan voting for the Pro Bowl.

The Dolphins have Jaylen Waddle, who Sunday doubtless will surpass 1,000 yards receiving for the season.

And they’ve Mike Gesicki, a participant Chargers coach Brandon Staley known as a “big-play tight end.”

Then, on prime of all of that, Miami has Tyreek Hill, whom a lot of Staley’s gamers know because the purple blur streaking away from them in his earlier position as a Kansas City Chief.

Yes, regardless of being dealt half a rustic away within the offseason, Hill nonetheless is primed to hang-out the Chargers.

“They’ve done a good job of tailoring the offense to his strengths,” Staley mentioned of the Dolphins teaching workers, “incorporating some of the things that he’s trademarked in the NFL, that are kind of unique to him and what he can do.

“They’re utilizing him as you should. They’re really featuring him as a guy who can get the ball in a variety of ways and, obviously, clear out a lot of coverage for other people. He’s having an outstanding season.”

Miami traded 5 draft picks for Hill in March, bringing in one of many NFL’s shiftiest, speediest wideouts to ignite an offense that has flourished.

The Chargers will get their first have a look at Hill in Dolphins colours Sunday night time at SoFi Stadium, one other prime-time alternative for the 6-6 dwelling group to show it deserves all of the nationwide consideration.

There’s little query of Miami’s credentials. The 8-4 Dolphins have the NFL’s second-most productive passing assault and are fourth within the AFC in factors per recreation, averaging 24.9.

Those information can be daunting sufficient even when the Chargers’ protection hadn’t spent a lot of this season on its heels. Only Arizona and Detroit are surrendering extra factors on common than the Chargers, who’re permitting 25.8.

“They have outstanding skill players,” Staley mentioned of the Dolphins. “That’s why you’re seeing production from their offense.”

Already hurting, the Chargers could possibly be in worse form this weekend. Safety Derwin James Jr. nonetheless is coping with an harm Staley mentioned he suffered in Week 12 at Arizona. Listed with a hip drawback, James missed someday of apply final week however was in a position to play all 61 defensive snaps Sunday at Las Vegas.

The Chargers, who had solely a walk-through Wednesday, estimated that James wouldn’t have practiced once more. He was on the newest harm report with a quadriceps harm.

Asked how involved he was about James, Staley mentioned, “We’ll see.” The Chargers are scheduled to carry a full apply Thursday.

Cornerback Bryce Callahan (core muscle) and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (hamstring) each have been anticipated to be restricted contributors. Defensive sort out Sebastian Joseph-Day (knee) didn’t take part Wednesday.

Those are 4 extra key members of a protection down three starters — edge rusher Joey Bosa, cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive sort out Austin Johnson — due to important accidents.

And now the Chargers face certainly one of their outdated nightmares in Hill, who caught 12 passes for 148 yards and one landing in his most up-to-date SoFi Stadium look.

That too got here in prime time, a Thursday night time 34-28 Kansas City victory nearly a yr in the past.

Staley mentioned slowing Hill and the Dolphins would require limiting explosive performs, one thing the Chargers have struggled with at instances. Miami wins with pace, and defending in opposition to that’s hardly a energy of the Chargers.

“They have a lot of guys who can get deep within the coverage,” Staley mentioned. “They also have guys who can catch it short and then turn short plays into big plays.”

Few within the NFL try this in addition to Hill. In 11 video games in opposition to the Chargers, he has 53 receptions for 799 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Hill leads the NFL with 96 catches for 1,376 yards. Only one participant has been focused extra typically: Davante Adams.

That’s the identical Davante Adams who simply burned the Chargers on Sunday in Las Vegas with 177 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Etc.

Center Corey Linsley stays in concussion protocol. The Chargers estimated that he would have been a restricted participant Wednesday. … Wide receiver Mike Williams (ankle) and proper guard Zion Johnson (shoulder) additionally have been listed as restricted. Right sort out Trey Pipkins III (knee) stays sidelined.