Chargers offseason upgrades around Justin Herbert falling apart already

The Los Angeles Chargers' training camp has started with significant setbacks, undermining their offseason efforts to upgrade the offense around quarterback Justin Herbert.

Three key offensive upgrades are already sidelined: running back J.K. Dobbins suffered an injury in a fireworks accident (practice status unclear), wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. begins camp on the PUP list, and rookie receiver Brenden Rice is holding out in a contract dispute, marking the NFL's first rookie holdout.

These absences directly impact the Chargers' planned offensive diversification, specifically hindering improvements to the ground game, vertical passing, and play action. Furthermore, Dobbins needs to learn the new offense, Chark needs to rebuild chemistry with Herbert, and Rice requires adaptation to the NFL, quarterback, and system.

Consequently, the Chargers enter camp relying heavily on rookie running back Omarion Hampton, two interior offensive linemen who struggled last season, and receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. This situation puts the team "off on the wrong foot" at the start of training camp.