Chargers safeties Phillips, Watkins ready to step up
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers safeties Adrian Phillips and Jaylen Watkins know that the spotlight is on them while Derwin James is out with a broken bone in his right foot.
As the Chargers wrapped up training camp on Thursday, James was undergoing surgery for a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal. The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Chargers will place their All-Pro safety on injured reserve when final roster cuts are made after next week’s final preseason game. James — who would have the designation to return — is likely to miss three months, meaning he may not return until the final five games of the regular season.
“We’ll just hold the fort down until he gets back,” Phillips said. We have (defensive backs) who are interchangeable, versatile and can play many different positions. That’s what helps put us in winning positions late in the game. We just roll with the punches and just keep going.”
Phillips has moved into the starting spot at strong safety and Watkins will be the backup at both safety spots after he missed last season with a knee injury. Both are expected to see playing time on Saturday when the Chargers host Seattle in their third preseason game.
Phillips is one of the league’s top special-teams players. He led the league in tackles last season and was a first-team, All-Pro selection as a specialist. But he has also proven to be valuable in the secondary with 11 starts over the past two seasons.
In last season’s AFC wild-card round win over Baltimore, Phillips had an interception and a fumble recovery as the Chargers used eight defensive backs for all but one play.