Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed regret regarding the team's limited preseason preparation following their surprising 26-14 Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Harbaugh stated that, in hindsight, he wished the Chargers' starters had received more playing time during the preseason.
"We made some preseason-type of mistakes," Harbaugh said during a Monday press conference. "Now in retrospect, I wish we’d played our guys a little bit more in the preseason and given them those reps." The team played its starters for only brief periods in the second and third preseason games.
The Cardinals, a team widely expected to struggle, appeared more prepared. In the loss, the Chargers committed turnovers, including an interception and a blocked punt, and struggled on third downs, ending one drive with a turnover on downs. Harbaugh described the performance as "sloppy at times."
Adding to the Chargers' difficulties, wide receiver Ladd McConkey left the game in the third quarter with a rib injury. Before his departure, McConkey had recorded five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Harbaugh indicated that McConkey is considered day-to-day. The Chargers were trailing by only two points when McConkey was injured, and they did not score again after he left the field.
The Chargers will aim to address these issues as they prepare to host the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) on Sunday.