Chargers’ Brandon Staley says 0-2 start not linked to Jacksonville wild-card loss

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans place-kicker Nick Folk celebrates after kicking a game-winning field goal during overtime of an NFL football game against the Chargers Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins signals for a first down after catching a pass next to Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa, center, celebrates his sack with cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., left, and linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) celebrates his rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Fans watch an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, left, is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa (97) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore walks the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett (7) runs after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) celebrates with linebacker Chance Campbell (45) after Landry’s sack on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley calls for a timeout during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Coach Brandon Staley wasn’t going there, and certainly not after a bit of prodding after the Chargers’ 27-24 overtime loss Sunday to the Tennessee Titans. He simply wasn’t going to connect the dots from their latest narrow defeat all the way back to their AFC wild-card collapse last Jan. 14.

The Chargers built a 27-0 lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their wild-card game last season but lost 31-30 on a last-second field goal. Then they began this season with a 36-34 loss on Sept. 10 to the Dolphins, when they failed to rally in the game’s final 1:45, after Miami took the lead.

Tennessee’s victory Sunday came via a field goal in overtime.

One defeat had nothing to do with the other, Staley insisted. No throughline could be, or should be, drawn from Jacksonville to Nashville, he said rather forcefully. He wasn’t buying the idea that one game last season, with a slightly different roster, could have an impact on one this season.

“I’m not worried about the Jacksonville loss,” Staley said, his voice rising noticeably from its usual calm tone. “The Jacksonville loss hasn’t carried onto the season whatsoever. If you’ve seen our training camp, or you’ve seen the way we’ve played in the first two games, it hasn’t had an impact on our team whatsoever.

“Our team is connected. Our team has played our hearts out two games and we’ve lost two tough games. That has nothing to do with the Jacksonville game. And if you ask anyone in our locker room, it has nothing to do with the Jacksonville game, and that’s just the truth.

“It’s a convenient storyline for you (reporters) and for everybody else (including fans), but it’s not the truth. We’ve lost two tough games, but the guys in that locker room, the men in that locker room, they are finishers, and they have what it takes, and we’re excited to prove ourselves.”

INJURY REPORT

Running back Austin Ekeler didn’t play because of an ankle injury suffered during last Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, when he rushed for 117 yards and one touchdown. Joshua Kelley assumed his role as the Chargers’ featured back against the Titans, and he rushed for 39 yards on 13 carries.

Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Daiyan Henley and edge rusher Chris Rumph II sat out because of hamstring injuries, leaving the Chargers shorthanded in the middle of their defense. Edge rusher Joey Bosa didn’t start because of a hamstring injury, but he did play and did have an impact on the game.

“I feel fine,” Bosa said after recording two sacks. “It was a little strained last week, but to be able to recover and get back out there and at least help my team a little bit meant a lot to me. I just wanted to be smart. The rotation was a little weird. A couple of times I should have been out there on a third down.”