COSTA MESA — When the Chargers signed DeAndre Carter during the offseason, they believed he would solidify their kick- and punt-returning game. When he began to catch a steady stream of passes during training camp, they realized he could fill an additional role when the season started.
When wide receiver Keenan Allen injured his hamstring in the first half of the first game Sept. 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Carter moved swiftly up the depth chart. When he began catching touchdown passes, an under-the-radar signing suddenly had a greater impact than expected.
Through the season’s first 10 games, the Chargers’ special teams play has been every bit as solid as hoped. Carter is averaging 19.6 yards per kickoff return and 10.6 yards per punt return, modest totals, to be sure. But he also has set career highs with 31 catches for 379 yards, and he also has two touchdowns.
Carter has played with the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and the Washington Football Team after he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, who then cut him. He bounced around the NFL before making his debut in 2018 with the Eagles.
Now, it would appear he’s found a home with the Chargers.
“I’m just grateful that coach Staley and coach Lombardi gave me the opportunity to be out there to help contribute to the offense,” Carter said, referring to Chargers coach Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. “When I can, I just try to take advantage of the opportunities when they come my way.
“When (quarterback) Justin (Herbert) is looking for me, I make sure that I try to make those plays. At the end of the day, it’s not about me.”
Allen returned to the Chargers’ starting lineup for their loss last Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs, catching five passes for 94 yards. Wide receiver Mike Williams also rejoined his teammates, but then aggravated a sprained ankle after making a catch. Williams’ status for Sunday’s game is uncertain.
Simply having Allen, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and Williams on the field made Herbert and the Chargers’ offense more dangerous, according to Carter. It didn’t pay off in a victory against the AFC-leading Chiefs, but it afforded Herbert more targets. Seven players caught passes.
Carter had three receptions for 33 yards against Kansas City.
“They’re two of the best receivers in the league,” Carter said of Allen and Williams. “Defenses will play us a little differently when they’re out there. We were able to take advantage of it early. I really wish Mike would have been able to be out there for the whole game. It probably would have been a little different story for us. Definitely, those two guys being out there helped us move the ball a little better.”
ROOKIE REPORT
The Chargers selected offensive lineman Zion Johnson with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft after a stellar career at Boston College. The starting right guard position was his to win during training camp, and if you haven’t heard much about him since then, it’s because he’s done a good job.
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At least that was Staley’s assessment of the rookie’s play so far.
“He’s progressing,” Staley said. “He is seeing things all of the time for the first time and we’re glad we have him. He’s going to continue to progress. He’s one of us, for sure. Any issues that Zion has are purely going to be from an experience standpoint because he has all of the right tools. He is a great guy, a hard worker and we’re going to keep playing well around him as we go.”
SECOND HALF WOES
The Chargers’ fourth-quarter touchdown last Sunday against the Chiefs was their first in the second half of a game in three games. They were shut out in the second half of their loss Nov. 13 to the San Francisco 49ers and managed only two second-half field goals in a victory Nov. 6 over the Atlanta Falcons.
Overall, the Chargers have been outscored 134-72 in the second half.
“I don’t know if it’s any one thing, but I think that to score the ball a couple of things need to happen,” Staley said. “You have to have explosions (for big gains). Driving the ball 10 to 12 to 15 plays, that’s really tough to do in the league. You have to get explosive plays and you have to stay away from negative plays.
“I think that in the second half, our execution just needs to be better.”