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Usually a member of the scout team, injuries last week put Tony Jefferson into the Chargers lineup and he made eight tackles, including this one on the Falcons’ Drake London. (Mike Stewart / Associated Press)
Tony Jefferson’s game-day uniform was a faded scout team jersey. Instead of wearing the pristine powder blue and gold jersey under the translucent roof at SoFi Stadium on Sundays, the Chargers safety showed his best while a gentle breeze blew across the practice field on Wednesdays. He didn’t necessarily care if that meant jumping into passing lanes, intercepting passes and breaking up plays against his own teammates.
“That was like my game day,” Jefferson said.
Scout team reps for practice-squad players and reserves serve as a stepping stone, proving ground or even stage acting for Chargers players at all phases of their careers. Jefferson, a 10-year pro, has turned his practice highlights into a prime-time role.
The safety who was signed to the active roster last week after Alohi Gilman went on injured reserve, notched eight tackles against the Atlanta Falcons in his first start since Dec. 4, 2022.
Then after practice Wednesday, Jefferson was whisked away to film a “Sunday Night Football” starter introduction ahead of the Chargers’ AFC West game against the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.
To the Chargers, the behind-the-scenes practice-squad role is just as vital as any game-day responsibility.
Read more: Are Rams, Chargers playoff threats? Facing best teams in AFC could prove telltale
“Coach [Jim Harbaugh] calls it an opportunity squad,” said wide receiver Jalen Reagor, who worked his way onto the active roster in Week 7 after signing with the Chargers practice squad on Sept. 23.
The group of 17 practice squad members and a handful of reserves on the active roster serve as the scout team each week with the main objective of mimicking the opposing team against the Chargers starters during practice. Scout players wearing pull-on…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-ahead-chargers-thrive-behind-110044850.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-06 11:00:00
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