The New Orleans Saints have traveled to California for two days of joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of Sunday’s preseason game, giving the team a great opportunity to see how they stack up against one of the league’s returning playoff teams.
Unlike an exhibition game, starters won’t have their reps limited to just 12 or 15 plays. We’ll get to see the best of what the Saints can bring against the Chargers. There are several high-profile matchups between the two teams, but this is also a crescendo for training camp competitions that have been brewing throughout the summer — and it’s also going to be the first time the Saints practice with NFL referees on the field this season.
We’ll be keeping an eye out to see how Derek Carr performs against a familiar opponent. He suited up against the Chargers in 18 games during his run with the Las Vegas Raiders, more often than any other opponent. The Saints’ starting quarterback has had a strong summer thus far. Let’s see if he can keep up the pace against a defense that knows his tendencies well.
Here are some live updates from those in attendance at the Saints-Chargers joint practice on Thursday:
Practice has now ended.
Follow along for live updates
Good morning from Saints-Chargers practice 🌞#Saints pic.twitter.com/T5esIVFOgS
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 17, 2023
Demario Davis, with pads. We'll see…
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) August 17, 2023
A speedier return than expected for Miller, perhaps. Good news. https://t.co/1rrAawhaeZ
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) August 17, 2023
Kirk Merritt is also out here
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 17, 2023
The Saints are marching in.#Chargers hosting joint practices today and tomorrow in Costa Mesa. pic.twitter.com/DERLiE22zz
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) August 17, 2023
Joint practice with the #Saints, Day 1! The #DHBC is going to be out in full force today! #BoltUp #DieHardBoltClub #DHBCOrangeCounty #Chargers #NewOrleansSaints #TrainingCamp #BoltFam pic.twitter.com/doftSQYJeJ
— DHBC Orange County (@DhbcOc) August 17, 2023
Cali vibes before @Saints and @chargers practice!! pic.twitter.com/J7lS7nr1VW
— Todd Graffagnini (@NTGraff) August 17, 2023
The Saints have arrived in Costa Mesa for joint practices against the Chargers. pic.twitter.com/x89niyKf5R
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 17, 2023
Cesar Ruiz is out here, but no pads
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 17, 2023
Andrus Peat looks like a participant, to whatever degree. Got his helmet and pads
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) August 17, 2023
Looks like Shaheed made the trip with the team. https://t.co/bRlGMQ6Q38
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) August 17, 2023
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 17, 2023
Rashid Shaheed made the trip to LA. He’s still in street clothes, but I take it as a positive sign to see him here with the team instead of rehabbing at home
— Luke Johnson (@ByLukeJohnson) August 17, 2023
Tyrann 🤝 Cam#SaintsCamp | @Chevron pic.twitter.com/CyyrQRFpYD
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 17, 2023
joint practice … LET’S GET ITTT pic.twitter.com/MUobDBkxS1
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 17, 2023
A positive sign for the #Chargers.
DT Austin Johnson has his pads and is going through walk-through before practice.
He remains on PUP list.
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) August 17, 2023
Have not spotted Taysom Hill, Tre’Quan Smith, Landon Young, Jesse James, or Lynn Bowden Jr.
Rashid Shaheed and Cesar Ruiz are out here, but not participating
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 17, 2023
Buckeyes 🤝#Saints | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/TQcDd5a0tf
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 17, 2023
Walk through, Peat with 1s at RG
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) August 17, 2023
Just two California dudes back in their home state ☀️ pic.twitter.com/zGuhPidyfN
— Brooke Kirchhofer (@brookechesney) August 17, 2023
Derek Carr to Chris Olave & Michael Thomas #saints pic.twitter.com/bwdTJQ2dZD
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) August 17, 2023
Getting warmed up for the Chargers #Saints pic.twitter.com/Y4VY1BxQWN
— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) August 17, 2023
It’s a ball on a leash kinda day. Also, Lucas Krull is back. #Saints pic.twitter.com/AQIADFpDRM
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) August 17, 2023
Alvin ⚜️ Jamaal pic.twitter.com/VWVeoLrc1g
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 17, 2023
Kendre Miller back at practice pic.twitter.com/VMyEtv1KzR
— NOF (@nofnetwork) August 17, 2023
#Saints DBs had a rough time to start in one-on-ones vs the Chargers receivers but bounced back toward the end.
Adebo, Monday, Mathieu, Frye, Amadi and Taylor all with PBUs.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) August 17, 2023
Chris Olave won all his reps in 1-on-1s. Drew a PI on the only incompletion
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) August 17, 2023
Carr connected on 2 deep TDs to Olave during 1 on 1… 9 route & deep post.
Carr found Juwan Johnson for a score on an out& up route
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) August 17, 2023
https://t.co/GmgwmN3FwH pic.twitter.com/MSGfmYrHUQ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 17, 2023
Carr went 7/8 during 7vs 7 for #saints
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) August 17, 2023
Jaylon Smith getting work with the 1 defense against Chargers 1 offense
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) August 17, 2023
Through the first set of full-team and 7-on-7 drills against Saints defense, Chargers QB Justin Herbert peppered Keenan Allen with short targets. Easy money every time.
Not as successful throwing deep, though, with some good snaps by both Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 17, 2023
Some light work for 12 pic.twitter.com/lfPOhgNv3P
— NOF (@nofnetwork) August 17, 2023
Michael Thomas vs Derwin James pic.twitter.com/CKrXynbTG7
— NOF (@nofnetwork) August 17, 2023
Marshon had a scoop and score off Ekeler fumble
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) August 17, 2023
Blake Grupe with a nice day so far. What’s even better is he’s kicking into a field goal post that’s like half the size
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 17, 2023
Give the sight edge to the Chargers’ first-team defense vs the Saints first-team offense in team drills. Highlight for Saints was a nice bubble screen from Derek Carr to Chris Olave. Mike Thomas with a nice gain on a crossing route. Also a nice run by Jamaal Williams. pic.twitter.com/ORpay2KVuH
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 17, 2023
No team reps for Jake Haener for the second straight practice. Rep split has gone 4 for Carr, 2 for Jameis (then repeat) which also happens to be their jersey numbers). #Saints
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) August 17, 2023
Make that four… 😐 https://t.co/WcWI4Zbi2t
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 17, 2023
Michael Thomas vs JC Jackson pic.twitter.com/wDR5WGemvC
— NOF (@nofnetwork) August 17, 2023
Saints D with back to back red zone stops, PBUs in end zone (2nd one was probably a sack before PBU)
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) August 17, 2023
Jameis Winston hits Kawaan Baker for nice gains on back-to-back out routes. One of the few times he’s had time to go through his progressions and find receivers downfield.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 17, 2023
Saints offense — 2nd team — finally gets on the board with a nice drive engineered by Jameis Winston.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 17, 2023
Kawaan Baker is having a real good day, just got into the end zone during red zone on an 8-yard hookup from Jameis Winston
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 17, 2023
The quick, easy completions to Keenan Allen didn’t work when Herbert tried one against CB Marshon Lattimore (PBU).
Then LB Nephi Sewell broke up a pass intended for Allen in the end zone as well. Chargers first-team offense hasn’t scored yet today in red-zone drills.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 17, 2023
D’Marco Jackson picked off Easton Stick. Saints D has held its own, I’d say
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) August 17, 2023
A lot of great team drills so far in this #Chargers-Saints joint practice — and we got our first turnover on the Saints O v. Chargers D side.
On a 3rd down emphasis drill, pressure by Khalil Mack and co. forced QB Derek Carr to throw the interception to Derwin James, Jr.
— Omar Navarro (@OmarNavarro____) August 17, 2023
a familiar foe 😏 pic.twitter.com/N9qJWgmtqs
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 17, 2023
goodness gracious keenan allen 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/tjEMcDHg85
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 17, 2023
