Roderic Teamer's struggles highlight Chargers' secondary issues

Chargers defensive back Roderic Teamer, left, tries to strip the ball away from Houston Texans running back Carlos Hyde on Sunday.

Staff Writer

Sept. 23, 2019 6:17 PM PT

Sometimes in football, the tape shows the same thing that was suggested in real time.

That was the case for Chargers strong safety Roderic Teamer.

“He looked like a rookie in his first start,” coach Anthony Lynn said Monday. “That’s what he looked like. But we have a lot of confidence in Roderic. I know he’s going to get better. ... He’ll be OK.”

Teamer, an undrafted free agent filling in for the injured Adrian Phillips, finished with seven total tackles in a 27-20 loss to Houston, tying linebacker Thomas Davis for the team lead.

But he also struggled at times, particularly in pass coverage as the Chargers allowed Deshaun Watson to throw five completions that gained 30 or more yards. Watson ended up with 351 passing yards total.

Teamer was making his NFL debut after missing the first two games because of a hamstring problem. The Chargers are thin at strong safety with All-Pro Derwin James also sidelined after having foot surgery in August.

Last week, Lynn suggested that moving Rayshawn Jenkins from free safety was an option, but the Chargers decided not to do so Sunday. Teamer played all 60 defensive snaps.

“Rayshawn is a heck of a free safety right now,” Lynn said. “That’s what this is all about. You got a guy that’s playing at an elite level at one position. You don’t want to make two moves.

“I think right now we’re looking at Roderic being our strong safety. Anytime we feel like he’s not that guy, we have the flexibility to move him. It could be this week. You never know.”

Jenkins had his first career interception Sept. 15 against Detroit. He intercepted a pass by Watson in the fourth quarter Sunday, but the play was nullified by offsetting penalties.

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Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin drops a pass in front of Houston Texans free safety Tashaun Gipson late in the game. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Houston Texans tight end Jordan Akins leaps into the stands after scoring on a 53-yard reception against the Chargers in the fourth quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen celebrates as he scores on a 12-yard touchdown pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is upended by Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby after scrambling for eight yards in the final minutes of the game. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu, left, grabs the face mask of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is sacked by Houston Texans defensive ends J.J. Watt, left, and D.J. Reader during the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen stays inbounds for a seven-yard touchdown reception in front of Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph in the first quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers looks to pass against the Houston Texans during the first half. (Getty Images)

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Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins tries to run past Chargers linebacker Thomas Davis, left, and defensive tackle Justin Jones during the first half. (Getty Images)

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Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson shouts instructions to wide receiver Kenny Stills during the second quarter. (Getty Images)

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Chargers running back Austin Ekeler finds an opening in the Houston Texans’ defense on a carry in the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to evade a sack by Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus before he ends up fumbling the ball away during a play in the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers running back Justin Jackson carries the ball against the Houston Texans. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers walks off the field in the final moments of the Chargers’ 27-20 loss to the Houston Texans. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

One move the Chargers won’t be making is putting 2019 second-round draft pick Nasir Adderley at strong safety. The 6-foot, 195-pound rookie is better suited for free safety.

Lynn said he is interested in finding ways to play Adderley more. All 11 of his snaps against the Texans came on special teams.

“We definitely want to work to get him on the field,” Lynn said. “Just not sure how yet. ... But Nas will work his way in there. With his skill set and the way he’s working right now, I have no doubt he will work his way in there.”

One issue the Chargers’ defense is dealing with is communication. With the changes at strong safety and with starting cornerback Michael Davis out with a hamstring injury, the secondary has been in flux.

The Chargers also have Thomas Davis as a 2019 newcomer and, on Sunday, welcomed back linebacker Denzel Perryman, who had been limited because of an ankle problem.

“It’s hard, but it’s doable,” Lynn said of establishing good communication with so many moving parts. “We have to get it done. Definitely when you have a young cat in there like Teamer, he was out of position a couple times. ... The communication is important right now on defense.”

Lynn said he liked what Perryman provided. The veteran, who played only three special teams snaps the first two weeks, played 38 snaps on defense and was credited with six tackles Sunday.

“[There was] a little rust as far as his angles because of the speed of the game,” Lynn said. “But [I] love him [going] downhill. We’ve always been a better run defense when Denzel’s in the game. He’s a downhill thumper.”

Virgil Green injury update

Lynn offered no update more specific than “he’ll be day by day for right now” on tight end Virgil Green, who left the game because of a groin injury.

He said kicker Michael Badgley did not suffer a setback over the weekend and was inactive simply because he “wasn’t right.” Badgley has yet to play this season because of a right groin issue.

The Chargers had hoped he would be ready to return Sunday, but his status was downgraded to doubtful Saturday.

“He kicked last week, and he kicked well,” Lynn said. “But he just wasn’t himself yet. We decided to hold him out another week and see where he’s at this week.”

Travis Benjamin also suffered a quadriceps injury. Lynn said he wasn’t sure yet whether the wide receiver would be available to play Sunday at Miami.

Offensive line struggles

The Chargers permitted five sacks, including one that resulted in a fumble by Philip Rivers.

Lynn explained that the offensive line was responsible for four of those sacks, with the Texans ramping up their rush in the second half.

“The protection could have been better in some cases,” Lynn said. “Overall, when we helped those guys and we chipped and we got down the field with the ball, I thought it looked good.

“But there were a couple times when we left the guys on an island with [J.J.] Watt and, hell, that happens with a lot of tackles in this league. Definitely room for improvement.”

Lynn said there was no plan to make any changes among the five starters along the offensive front.