COSTA MESA — One by one, the Chargers’ wide receivers queued up for a one-on-one drill against the defensive backs Monday. Keenan Allen ran a pattern and caught a pass from Justin Herbert. Then it was Mike Williams’ turn, followed by Josh Palmer, followed by John Hightower.
When it was Quentin Johnston’s turn, he rocketed off the line of scrimmage and sprinted the few yards into the corner of the end zone. Defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor was on him like a tailgater on the 405, but Johnston had a step on him and he snared Herbert’s flawless pass with ease, tumbling to the grass.
The crowd of fans clustered nearest to the practice field at Jack Hammett Sports Complex let out a collective, “Whoa,” clearly impressed by the rookie’s catch, his well-run route and, of course, Herbert’s well-placed throw to him in the early minutes of Day 4 of training camp.
Later, during a different drill, Johnston failed to catch a pass on a similar pattern to the corner of the end zone. Taylor covered him again, closer this time, with a hand up to make it more difficult than it had been earlier in the morning. Taylor’s defensive teammates cheered his play this time.
The sequences underscored the position Johnston found himself as the Chargers put on the pads for the first time in camp. There are the lofty expectations that come from being a first-round draft pick, naturally, but the Chargers are content to allow him to learn on the job.
“He cares about his game,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. “He works really hard. He can make big plays. He’s still a work in progress in terms of learning what to do and how to do, but he can do it, you know? He doesn’t have the pressure on him right away and doesn’t have to do everything.”
There’s not an official depth chart at this point, but if there were one then Johnston, a 21-year-old standout from TCU, probably wouldn’t be higher than fourth behind seasoned veterans such Allen, Williams and Palmer. He might even be fifth, given Hightower’s standout play so far during camp.
But that’s OK, as far as Staley is concerned.
The Chargers are content to bring him along slowly, at his own pace.
There’s no rush.
Plus, he is surrounded by excellence at his position.
“He can learn from these three guys, who are all featured receivers in the league, OK?” Staley said, referring to Allen, Williams and Palmer. “These three guys are as good as it gets. He can learn how to play receiver. We can find a role for him where he’s impactful and he can do a good job on special teams, too.”
If there is pressure to produce, to prove he’s worthy of a first-round selection, Johnston said he doesn’t feel it.
“I feel just like it was like being a four- or five-star (recruit) going into college,” Johnston said. “Once you’re there, all that stuff goes out the window. Once you’re there, it’s all about working today. It’s all about football. I don’t feel any pressure. I feel like I wouldn’t be in this position if I wasn’t ready for it.”
GOOD FUNDAMENTALS
Tackling will be a point of emphasis during training camp and beyond, Staley said after the Chargers donned pads and the physicality increased for the first time in camp. He said it was one reason for their lackluster defense against the run last season and one area that must be improved this season.
“It’s the No. 1 fundamental for defense,” Staley said. “If you’re a quality tackling team, you’re going to limit all the big plays, the explosions, and the way the NFL calendar is, you don’t get (to wear) pads in the springtime. You don’t get to practice it nearly enough as you need to, to be good at it.”
The Chargers didn’t tackle to the ground, but Staley liked what he saw.
Or, rather, heard.
“I heard it the way it should sound,” he said of the contact.
CAMP UPDATES
Offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III sat out practice for a second consecutive time because of an undisclosed injury. Staley said he didn’t have a “significant update to report,” when asked about Pipkins’ status, but he said he expected Pipkins to be “back in practice shortly.” …
Khalil Mack said he didn’t notice immediately that fellow edge rusher Joey Bosa put on an extra 20 pounds during the offseason, telling reporters, “Joey is kind of a lean, muscle-mass type of a guy. Tall, 6-(foot)-5, maybe. So, you can’t tell he put it on, which is a great thing. It’s not like he’s got a gut on him or nothing.”
