EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh emphasizes that a hallmark of successful teams is their ability to rely on backup players during critical moments. This past week, Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still stepped up for the Los Angeles Chargers when they faced this challenge, and their performance will be crucial as they head into Monday night’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
With injuries impacting the roster, these rookie cornerbacks are expected to play significant roles again. Asante Samuel Jr. is currently on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, and Kristian Fulton suffered a hamstring strain in the third quarter of the Chargers’ 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. Additionally, Ja’Sir Taylor has been sidelined for the past two games with a leg injury, and Deane Leonard, primarily a special teams player, also tweaked his hamstring during the same game in Denver.
None of the injured players—Fulton, Taylor, or Leonard—participated in practice on Wednesday. The team signed Eli Apple to the practice squad, but his ability to quickly acclimate to the team is still uncertain.
“You can see it brewing when that next guy steps up and plays to his best,” Harbaugh remarked. “Sometimes, it’s as good as the starter, and that’s when real magic starts happening. Players realize their chance is coming and are getting ready for it.”
Hart made his debut start in Denver, stepping in for Samuel and logging all 55 snaps. The Chargers began the game in a nickel package, which allowed Still to take on the slot corner position for the second consecutive week until Fulton’s injury necessitated a shift to the outside.
Both Hart and Still were fifth-round draft picks, and they shared a training camp room together, fostering their competitive spirit. “We motivate each other, knowing we have something to prove,” Hart stated. “No matter where we were chosen in the draft, we need to keep showing our worth throughout the season.” Despite not being targeted in coverage, Hart recorded three tackles against Denver.
“He played really physical and covered well,” praised Harbaugh of Hart’s performance.
Meanwhile, Still has averaged 44 snaps over his past two starts and excelled in pass coverage, notably breaking up a deep pass intended for Marvin Mims Jr. “I felt more at ease out there. I’m still adapting, but the coaches trust and believe in me,” Still commented.
The strong play of Hart and Still contributes to what has been a promising draft class under the management of Joe Hortiz. Fifth overall selection Joe Alt has solidified his role at right tackle, while wide receiver Ladd McConkey, picked in the second round, leads the team with 19 receptions and 219 receiving yards. Third-round pick Junior Colson averages 24 snaps across three games, and sixth-round running back Kimani Vidal found the end zone with a 38-yard touchdown on his first NFL touch.
“I believe every rookie has come in competitive. It’s important to strike the right balance between competitive spirit and staying in control,” Still noted. “Some players get their chances sooner than others, but everyone will have their time.”
A significant challenge for the Chargers’ defense, particularly the secondary, will be containing Kyler Murray’s scrambling capabilities. Last week, the Chargers allowed six scrambles for 61 yards to quarterback Bo Nix. Murray stands third among NFL quarterbacks in scramble yards, tallying 150 yards from 16 carries.
“When he makes plays out of the pocket, we need to stay on our assignments and maintain solid coverage,” Still advised.
In other news, Harbaugh mentioned he received encouraging test results from his cardiologist following a stress test conducted on Monday. “Heart of an athlete was a direct quote from the cardiologist,” he shared, elaborating that he had briefly left Sunday’s game due to an irregular heartbeat, an issue that had persisted for a few days. Although Harbaugh is wearing a heart monitor for the next few weeks, he confirmed that his heartbeat has returned to normal rhythms.