# Thomas Martinez: Martinez projects the Chargers' starting lineups on offense and defense for their Week 3 game at Buffalo, with injuries forcing several changes — Oronde Gadsden II at tight end, Trevor Penning at left guard, Jamaree Caldwell at defensive tackle and RJ Mickens at safety — while expecting Ladd McConkey to play and Marquez Valdez-Scantling to debut. **Claimed:** Sep 27, 2026 **Pundit:** Thomas Martinez — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/thomas-martinez **Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/chargers/onsi/chargers-bills-predicting-nfl-week-3-multiple-starters-out 26 checkable claims — 23 depth chart calls, 2 availability calls and 1 roster spot call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet. It names 26 players and teams, each linked to their own record. 1 of 26 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls. Of the 12 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one. > Trevor Penning who served as the swing guard in week two, will make his debut in 2026 as a starter and assume the left guard role. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Patrick Herbert to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Patrick Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Alec Ingold to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Alec Ingold, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Hayden Rucci to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Hayden Rucci, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ladd McConkey to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Wide receiver Ladd McConkey will have to monitor his ribs but he practiced in full all week and should be good to go (Week 3 vs Bills)** - Kind: Availability Calls · About: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Quentin Johnston to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Wide receiver Brenen Thompson is out for this game and should make way for the debut for veteran journeyman wide receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling. (Week 3 at Buffalo)** - Kind: Availability Calls · About: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Rashawn Slater to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jake Slaughter to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jake Slaughter, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cole Strange to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Cole Strange, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jamaree Caldwell to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jamaree Caldwell, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **R.J. Mickens to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: R.J. Mickens, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Oronde Gadsden II to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Daiyan Henley to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Daiyan Henley, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Del'Shawn Phillips to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Del'Shawn Phillips, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Trevor Penning to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Trevor Penning, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Joe Alt to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Khalil Mack to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tuli Tuipulotu to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Teair Tart to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Teair Tart, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Derwin James to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tony Jefferson to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Tony Jefferson, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tarheeb Still to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Tarheeb Still, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Justin Herbert to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cam Hart to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Cam Hart, Los Angeles Chargers - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Patrick Herbert — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/patrick-herbert - Los Angeles Chargers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/chargers - Omarion Hampton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/omarion-hampton - Alec Ingold — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/alec-ingold - Hayden Rucci — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/hayden-rucci - Ladd McConkey — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ladd-mcconkey - Quentin Johnston — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/quentin-johnston - Marquez Valdes-Scantling — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/marquez-valdes-scantling - Rashawn Slater — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/rashawn-slater - Jake Slaughter — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jake-slaughter - Cole Strange — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cole-strange - Jamaree Caldwell — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jamaree-caldwell - R.J. Mickens — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/r-j-mickens - Oronde Gadsden II — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/oronde-gadsden-ii - Daiyan Henley — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/daiyan-henley - Del'Shawn Phillips — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/del-shawn-phillips - Trevor Penning — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trevor-penning - Joe Alt — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-alt - Khalil Mack — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/khalil-mack - Tuli Tuipulotu — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tuli-tuipulotu - Teair Tart — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/teair-tart - Derwin James — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/derwin-james - Tony Jefferson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tony-jefferson - Tarheeb Still — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tarheeb-still - Justin Herbert — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-herbert - Cam Hart — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cam-hart ## What others said about the same people - Sam Monson on Los Angeles Chargers: Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/0b810ffd-fd93-4ea2-a208-b1353dea5fb0 (scored 0) - David Droegemeier on Mekhi Becton: Drogemeier says the Chargers cutting Mekhi Becton is a foregone conclusion, freeing nearly $9 million in cap space, and only a matter of when. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c5f92029-fa26-4c4f-9c27-ab127b7301a8 (scored 100) - Mina Kimes on Mekhi Becton: Kimes projects Washington receiver Denzel Boston as a second-half-of-the-first-round pick and expects the Chargers to move on from Mekhi Becton. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/313774ec-4795-434d-9f21-6ec534873000 (scored 100) - Eric Mangini on Los Angeles Chargers: In his taped upset alert, the coach took the winless Chargers to beat the undefeated Bills, citing Los Angeles' desperation and Buffalo's leaky defense. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c5e9288a-a752-4236-889e-edc171b86264 (scored 0) - Eric Williams on Los Angeles Chargers: Williams picks the Chargers as the 0-2 team to rebound, comparing it to the 2017 team that started 0-4 and finished 9-7, and suggests they will rise up on the road against Buffalo rather than collapse. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/57fe59dc-bfbb-44cb-8e4c-191db478fce2 (scored 0) - David Droegemeier on Los Angeles Chargers: Drogmeier also buys the Chargers as a top-five offense, thinks Ladd McConkie reaching roughly 100 catches/top-five in receptions is realistic, predicts the Chargers beat the Bills, projects six to eight and a half sacks for Justin Eboigbe, and expects Khalil Mack to retire after the season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7a3cf9e0-2957-4862-822e-56206f199c8f (scored 0) ## More depth chart calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Pat Fitzmaurice on Jonah Coleman: In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2cbd48f6-15ea-4aa5-84bc-bcc50d94d09a (scored 0) - Fox Sports on Michael Penix Jr.: Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a90e69a8-707f-43e9-a63e-cdb3e7bd0829 (scored 100) - Pat Fitzmaurice on Aaron Jones: In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/31adc8bb-8f15-453f-bbcf-cab44e29b8b3 (scored 100) - Matt Severance on Deshaun Watson: The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/944568ce-7205-409f-8354-a392016fd8bf (scored 100) - Rafael Zamorano on Deshaun Watson: Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d7d7e0a2-61e0-4525-970b-b01a2356f11b (scored 100) - Rich Hribar on Tua Tagovailoa: Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/124ac755-a942-4382-8bad-177da7f8170d (scored 0) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=thomas-martinez