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Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, Adrian Phillips give defense late boost

By Brandon Thornton

CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Defensive back Adrian Phillips #31 and free safety Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate a missed field goal by the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Defensive back Adrian Phillips #31 and free safety Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate a missed field goal by the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Chargers have activated starting safeties Adrian Phillips and Derwin James off the injured list, giving their defense a late-season boost.

Somehow, someway, despite sitting at 4-7 and third in the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers are not technically or mathematically out of the playoffs. The inconsistent play of quarterback Philip Rivers, who has essentially turned into a fossil, and a plethora of injuries haven’t exactly helped their cause.

Yet here they are still alive as they go into Week 13, and a lot of credit has to go to the coaching of Anthony Lynn for keeping it together.

The return of their two starting safeties, Derwin James and Adrian Phillips, should help the Chargers out against the Denver Broncos and the rest of 2019.

Phillips was a First-Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler as a special teamer a season ago but also racked up 94 tackles in only seven starts in 2018. It was a breakout season for the six-year veteran and former undrafted free agent. After being named a starter for 2019, Phillips broke his arm in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions and has been sidelined ever since.

James, on the other hand, was the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and more than lived up to the hype in his first year. A candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, James notched 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions as a rookie. James underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his foot prior to his sophomore season and sat out the Chargers’ first 11 games.

Considered a centerpiece for the Chargers defense for years to come, the defense hasn’t even come close to looking the same as it did a year ago with James not on the field.

Next. 2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 13. dark

Now with a strong run game, loaded roster, pass rush finally healthy and the return of the two starting safeties, the Chargers defense, and maybe team as a whole, should start to look much stronger. They may get close to their 2018 form. Maybe it’ll be too little too late, but with Phillips and James back playing and healthy, the future looks bright for the Los Angeles Chargers.

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