COSTA MESA — The Chargers have gone through a second preseason where the starters sat for all three games, while the only authentic look took place during the joint practices against the Dallas Cowboys before preseason game two.

There is curiosity about what this team will look like in 2022, a sentiment shared by General Manager Tom Telesco.

“I’m looking forward to playing real games,” Telesco said Monday afternoon. “There’s no doubt that preseason gets a little old. It’s needed. But it gets old.”

Telesco wants to see his roster construction take shape.

Last season, the team finished 9-8 and suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders in a “win-and-you-are-in” regular-season finale. It was a learning moment for the Chargers.

They found out exactly what they needed in the draft and free agency to continue building their offense around quarterback Justin Herbert and the defense around safety Derwin James.

“We had a good amount of space to use, and we had a defense that really had to get turned over a little bit to make sure guys were fitting what we’re going to do,” Telesco said.

Before free agency began, Telesco and the front office made a splash when they traded for one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Khalil Mack. That would give fellow pass rusher Joey Bosa a partner in crime.

After the 53-man roster came out last week, it was curious that the Chargers kept only three pass rushers Bosa, Mack, and second-year Chris Rumph.

“We got two Pro Bowl-type guys,” Telesco said. “So that’s a good start. We got Chris Rumph, who has done a tremendous job, and then we got like a lot of other guys that can bounce out there and play.”

There could be a possibility that Kyle Van Noy, Morgan Fox, or Jerry Tillery might join the edge rusher group from time to time.

Linebacker Kenneth Murray is back practicing with the team after missing almost all of training camp following offseason ankle surgery. Telesco said Murray will return to his role as a middle linebacker after they tried him out at edge rusher last season.

“He looks fast and physical, and he’s moving around really well, so that’s positive,” Telesco said.

Head coach Brandon Staley announced last week that Trey Pipkins would be starting at right tackle ahead of Storm Norton.

“Trey’s done a good job so far, so we’ll see how that rolls,” Telesco said.

Pipkins was drafted in the third round of 2019. He got off to a rough start but the Chargers have seen him develop. He played in two games last season in which the GM saw improvement.

Last Friday, the team decided to sign free agent running back Sony Michel and waive Larry Rountree III.

Related Articles

“You want to call him a veteran back because really, it’s just five years in the league,” Telesco said. “It’s not like he’s a really old veteran back but just makes us go through my strong group to a really strong group because we didn’t lose Larry (Roundtree). Larry’s on the practice squad.”

Michel is a two-time Super Bowl champion (one with the New England Patriots, one with the Rams) and rushed for 845 yards while adding four touchdowns for the Rams last season.

Telesco has made several moves in the last two seasons to set up the team for success. He is going into his 10th season as the Chargers’ GM and has only made the playoffs twice in the time with no division titles.

“Every year is a different year, and every year the expectations are the same,” Telesco said. “So, it’s a pressurized job no matter what. Just is what it is. But I wouldn’t call any extra this year. I want to win every single year.”

NUTS N’ BOLTS

Tight end Donald Parham was working on the side during team activities. … Cornerback J.C. Jackson was not on the practice field during any portion.