COSTA MESA — Josh Palmer’s leaping, one-handed catch with Asante Samuel Jr. defending him in a one-on-one drill Tuesday remained a topic of much discussion Wednesday, a reminder of his importance to the Chargers’ receiving corps as much as any single athletic play in any single practice.
No question, the way Palmer leaped to snare Justin Herbert’s pass with his right hand was a display worthy of repeated views on social media. But, more to the point, it was a catch that underscored his ability to make plays and be a productive player once the season begins Sept. 10.
one-hander??? more like one-palmer pic.twitter.com/3smoLoLUNa
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 1, 2023
The Chargers couldn’t click offensively with only Keenan Allen and Mike Williams connecting with Herbert last season. After all, Allen and Williams were sidelined by injuries for extended stretches during the regular season. Williams also sat out their playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So, it was left to Palmer to make plays in their absence and be a reliable target for Herbert. Palmer responded by leading the Chargers’ receivers with 72 receptions for 769 yards, six more catches and 17 more yards than Allen. Williams had 63 receptions for a team-leading 895 yards.
“We feel like Josh is an elite player,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. “Our entire coaching staff will tell you the same. Through two years, he’s done a lot for us. Last year, over 70 catches. He’s a very complete receiver. You can line him up anywhere. He’s outstanding in the release game. He’s very strong.
“I think where he’s improved is his trust game with Justin.”
That’s not something that should be discounted when it comes to quarterbacks and wide receivers. It’s a connection that’s often forged well beyond the view of fans, with endless repetitions on the practice field, including on a day when fans were absent from a training camp session.
As it was Tuesday.
“There’s a trust factor,” Staley said. “Justin will wait for him. Justin now knows where he can hit Josh in that sweet spot. Josh is a very, very complete player and he is a weapon and we’re excited to have him. When you add ‘Q’ (Quentin Johnston), that makes you tough to defend.”
In fact, the Chargers weren’t content to have three high-end targets for Herbert for the 2023 season. They used their first-round pick to select Johnston from TCU in the draft April 27. The competition among the four has been evident through the first six sessions of training camp.
Williams discounted any notion that the addition of Johnston via the draft has served as any extra motivation for Palmer in camp. Palmer seems like the same talented player he’s been during the two seasons since the Chargers’ picked him in the third round from Tennessee.
“I feel like he’s got the same motivation,” he said. “Just to be in this league, you’ve got to be motivated. Show up every day, put the work in if you want to stay in this league. So, I feel like he’s always been motivated. We all just show up, make our plays, watch films, make our corrections, do it all again the next day.”
CAMP HIGHLIGHTS
Samuel knocked down two passes during a two-minute drill featuring Herbert and many of the Chargers’ starting offensive unit against their top defensive unit near the end of practice. One was intended for Johnston in what looked like a certain touchdown on a play inside the red zone. …
Cameron Dicker was 8 for 8 on field goal attempts of 52, 48, 45, 42, 40, 36, 33 and 28 yards. Dicker assumed the kicking duties last season after Dustin Hopkins was injured. Dicker and Hopkins are expected to battle for the position during camp and in three exhibition games later this month. …
Backup quarterback Max Duggan connected on a long touchdown pass with wide receiver Terrell Bynum, an undrafted rookie from USC and St. John Bosco High in Bellflower. Duggan was the Chargers’ seventh-round draft pick out of TCU (239th overall) on April 29.