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3 Chargers Players to Watch Against Titans in Week 9

KeenanPTW3

The Chargers are ready to hit the road coming off their mini bye week.

The Bolts will face the Titans from Nissan Stadium in Week 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. (PT).

Here are three players to watch on Sunday:

1. WR Keenan Allen

The veteran receiver is on the verge of history.

With four receptions on Sunday in Nashville, Allen would pass his former teammate Antonio Gates and become the Chargers all-time receptions leader.

Allen said earlier this season that surpassing Gates would mean the most out of anything he's accomplished in his career, and it was something he wanted to do. Allen currently has 952 catches with the Chargers, three behind Gates' record of 955.

And he's on the verge now of getting there.

"That's the priority one," Allen said earlier in the season. "Definitely trying to catch Gates."

His return in powder blue has been as successful as anyone could've hoped for.

The 33-year-old leads the Bolts in receptions and receiving yards with 48 for 479 and has scored four touchdowns, second most on the team.

"He's been incredible," Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said about Allen this week. "Just really happy for his success … just has had an incredible, positive impact on our football team."

He's also set some history this year, as Allen recorded his 1,000th career catch earlier this season and also joined the exclusive 400-400 club as the only player in NFL history with at least 400 catches from two different quarterbacks.

Allen is on the verge of another major milestone.

"The proof is in the pudding," Harbaugh said. "Nothing but respect [for him]."

Check out the best photos from practice on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo!

2. CB Nikko Reed

The undrafted rookie free agent could be getting his first NFL shot in Week 9.

Starting cornerback Tarheeb Still is unlikely to play this week, according to Harbaugh, meaning there will be opportunities in the secondary this week for Reed.

Reed has played one defensive snap this year but has been inactive for seven of the eight regular season games thus far.

And heading into Tennessee with the potential of his first extended run in the NFL, he's ready for the moment.

"I feel great. I'm ready," Reed said on Wednesday. "I've been waiting for this moment, can't wait to execute."

Even though Reed hasn't been active on gamedays, it's hard to forget how much of a game-changer he was in the preseason that led to him making the active roster.

The rookie out of Oregon notched an interception and finished preseason with four passes defensed in three games and also made a number of splash plays during training camp practices.

In three preseason games, he finished allowing just three receptions for 16 yards on 10 targets and a passer rating of 33.3 when thrown at.

Reed has been staying ready however he can, and the Bolts defense is excited to get a look on what he can bring to the unit.

"A lot of times, a fresh guy in there that hasn't played a lot can bring a spark, can bring some juice," Minter said. "We know the type of player Nikko is, we have a ton of confidence in him based on what he's done.

"The players are excited to see him play based on what he did in the preseason and training camp and in practices," Minter added. "Super excited about that position and what we can get out of it."

Reed added: "It's been a minute since I played. Last time I played, I had lots of fun so I'm ready to pick back up on that."

Check out the best photos from practice on Tuesday at The Bolt in El Segundo!

3. OLB Odafe Oweh

Oweh's impact has been felt since his arrival.

The veteran outside linebacker has been slowly finding his way on the Chargers defense as of late, as he's notched 2.0 sacks in his three games since joining the team via trade.

After not having a sack prior to his time with the Bolts, he's gotten after the quarterback with nine total pressures and tacked on two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.

Oweh now ranks eighth in ESPN's pass rush win rate among edge rushers with a 21-percent win rate and has given the unit a boost.

And this week, it will be a chance for the edge rushers to make their impact be felt going up against the Titans offense.

Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been the NFL's most sacked quarterback so far this season, as he's been brought down 34 times. He's also been sacked at least four times in each of their last three games.

Now with Khalil Mack back in the fold and Tuli Tuipulotu playing at a high level, the unit hopes to lean on the edge rushers and put pressure on the quarterback like they did last Thursday, when they finished with 30 total pressures against the Vikings.

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