Chargers throwing former 1st-round pick to the wolves at new spot in preseason opener

The Los Angeles Chargers and head coach Jim Harbaugh will make the most of the extra preseason game this summer, starting Thursday during the Hall of Fame game against the Detroit Lions.

Most of that taking advantage stems from merely letting some of the biggest training camp battles get some live action against other teams.

Chief among those right now, by far, is the interior offensive line in front of Justin Herbert.

Harbaugh told The Athletic’s Daniel Popper that Zion Johnson is one of the players about to get a start, rolling out with the first team at center.

Los Angeles Chargers guard Zion Johnson — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The former first-round pick Johnson has been the subject of much speculation this summer as he makes a possible move to center and competes there. He’s struggled as a guard in the pros and could push veteran Bradley Bozeman for the starting job.

Johnson has had struggles at times in camp already, though, and free-agent addition Andre James has started to make some noise.

Like Trey Lance at quarterback on Thursday with his chance to move into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, though, Johnson has a real chance to make some headway for himself. The team brought him on as a first-round pick for a reason and would be more than happy for him to provide an upgrade at center while free-agent splash Mekhi Becton upgrades the right guard spot.

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