Chargers’ coach Jim Harbaugh called undrafted rookie free agent cornerback Eric Rogers’ 43-yard interception return touchdown in Sunday’s 27-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game at SoFi Stadium “as good a plays I’ve ever seen.”
Harbaugh specifically praised “the break on the ball, the avoid of the receiver, the catch, completing the catch to the ground and then getting back up” on the ball thrown by Tyler Shough in the third quarter.
Rogers also intercepted a pass by Jake Haener with 3:38 left in the fourth quarter, which led to undrafted rookie running back Raheim Sanders 11-yard touchdown run, one play after undrafted rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completed a 49-yard pass to Dalevon Campbell on his only pass of the game.
Rogers was injured on the kickoff following the touchdown. When asked about the injury in his postgame news conference, Harbaugh said, “He’s getting checked out.”
Harbaugh said the best thing about the game was that the team “just played with a lot of want to.”
“They want to be on this team,” Harbaugh said. “They want to show that they belong.”
Harbaugh also praised outside linebacker Caleb Murphy, who had two quarterback sacks; undrafted rookie linebacker Mario Wax, who made a game-high nine tackles; undrafted rookie receiver Dalevon Campbell, who made a team-high three catches for a game-high 62 yards and quarterback Trey Lance.
Lance completed seven of 14 passes for 55 yards over the final three quarters and ran for a game-high 48 yards on seven carries, including a 5-yard touchdown run 1:38 before halftime to culminate a 14-play, 85-yard drive that consumed 6:24 and gave the Chargers a 9-0 lead.
Taylor Heinicke started at quarterback for the Chargers (2-0) after not playing in their 34-7 victory over the Detroit Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game July 31 in Canton, Ohio, completing one of five passes for eight yards in the first quarter.
The Chargers won despite being outgained 300 yards to 248, and trailing 17-15 in first downs and 31:08-28:52 in time of possession.
One factor in the victory was the Chargers forcing New Orleans to turn the ball over on downs after having a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line in the first quarter.
Safety RJ Mickens and linebacker Tre’Mon Morris-Brash tackled running back Velus Jones Jr. for a 1-yard loss on first down.
Safety Tony Jefferson was credited with a no yards sack of Spencer Rattler on second down. Defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor and defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell tackled Rattler after a 1-yard gain on third down.
Defensive lineman Scott Matlock and linebacker Troy Dye tackled running back Kendre Miller for a 3-yard loss on fourth down.
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Chargers opened the scoring 1:30 into the second quarter on Cameron Dicker’s 44-yard field goal, four plays after outside linebacker Caleb Murphy sacked Rattler and forced a fumble, which defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe recovered at the Saints’ 33-yard line.
Blake Grupe kicked a 31-yard field goal for New Orleans with five seconds left in the half. Shough complete five of eight passes for 42 yards on the nine-play, 52-yard drive.
Rodgers’ interception return touchdown and Lance’s 2-point conversion pass to Campbell increased the Chargers’ lead to 17-3 with 9:48 left in the third quarter in front of a crowd announced at 74,484.
The Saints cut the deficit to 17-10 on the ensuing possession when Shough threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton.
Dicker kicked a 40-yard field goal with 4:50 remaining for the first points of the fourth quarter.
Rattler completed seven of 11 passes for 53 yards in the first five possessions for New Orleans (0-1).
Shough entered the game with 1:38 remaining in the first half and played through the Saints’ first possession in the fourth quarter, completing 15 of 22 passes for 165 yards with one interception, including a 54-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton with 7:14 left in the third quarter.
Haener completed five of eight passes for 41 yards with one interception on the Saints’ final two possessions, which included a 50-yard field goal by Charlie Smyth with 10 seconds to play.