3 Standouts for Chargers in Loss to Titans

Tuli Tuipulotu

Tuli Tuipulotu was the Chargers’ second-round selection in the 2023 draft. He is the main rotational/substitute edge rusher for the Chargers. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are certified stars, but are getting older. Therefore, Tuipulotu is expected to eventually replace one of the likely-to-be-cut defensive ends in the coming years.

The 21-year-old should be viewed in a similar vein as former USC and Charger defender, Uchenna Nwosu. Both have similar builds, skillsets, and roles. Nwosu was a rotational defender when the Chargers paired Bosa with prime Melvin Ingram.

During Nwosu’s tenure, he played well in his role, and eventually earned the starting job after Ingram’s departure. Thus, Tuipulotu will likely follow a similar path to Nwosu.

Tuipulotu was very solid in Week 1, but he was a standout Week 2. With Bosa playing on limited snaps, the USC product filled in for the former Rookie of the Year. As a majority starter, Tuipulotu showed why he was drafted as early as he was.

The defensive lineman had seven tackles, a sack, and plenty of big plays in the run game. Tuipulotu stood out throughout the entirety of the game, showing that he deserves to be considered for a long-term starting spot. However, this year, he will return to his rotational role, playing in relief of the aging defenders ahead of him.

Kenneth Murray

The biggest surprise standout of the game was former first-round selection, Kenneth Murray. Murray has been considered by many as a bust, and someone who does not deserve the snaps he is getting. After position switches and coaching changes all amounting to limited success, Murray is in a make-or-break year.

In Week 2, lead linebacker Eric Kendricks was out. Thus, it was up to Murray to call defensive plays and lead the defense. On Sunday, against the league’s most feared runner, Derrick Henry, Murray was up to the challenge. Murray had ten tackles and one sack, earning a week without the media talking about how he should be cut.

If Murray can push on from this performance, he can be a real pleasant surprise for the Bolts. Consequently, this would make things interesting for the linebacker room. Next week against the Minnesota Vikings, Murray will be put to the test once again, against one of the league’s best passing offenses.