Chargers sit Philip Rivers, lose 13-7 to Saints in preseason

Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams, center, is brought down by New Orleans inside linebacker Nate Stupar, left, and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers defensive back Desmond King celebrates after sacking New Orleans quarterback Chase Daniel late in the second quarter at Stub Hub Centr in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers nose tackle Damion Square (71) helps defensive back Desmond King, right, sack New Orleans quarterback Chase Daniel late in the second quarter at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, left, makes the catch in front of New Orleans cornerback De’Vante Harris at th StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers kick returner Isaiah Burse (89) is taken down for a loss of yards by the Saints Chris Banjo (31) and Brandon Coleman (16) in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
The Saints Ken Crawley (20) signals a turn-over on downs against the Chargers in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers running back Andre Williams (44) is wrapped-up by the Saints Sterling Moore (24) and Tony McDaniel (76) in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers punter Toby Baker (4) gets the kick away in time before the Saints Mitchell Loewen (70) can block it in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers linemen Matt Slauson (68) and Chris Hairston (75) watch the replay after a non-productive set of downs against the Saints in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers Keenan Allen (13) reaches for a pass which goes too wide against the Saints in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers Keenan Allen (13) walks away as the Saints De’Vante Harris (21) signals incomplete in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens (10) is taken down by Saints linebacker Manti Te’o (51) in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens (10) tries to straight-arm the Saints Kenny Vaccaro (32) but still gets taken down in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers Kellen Clemens (10) looks to pass as the Saints Hau’oli Kikaha (44) closes-in in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers Kellen Clemens (10) hads-off to Braden Oliver (32) against the Saints in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers Jahleel Addae (37) gets to Saints quarterback Chase Daniel (10) but not before the pass in a NFL preseason football game at the StubHub Center Sunday, August 20, 2017, Carson, CA. The Saints led at halftime 10-0. Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Steve McCrank, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Chargers punter Toby Baker, left, and teammate Adrian Phillips, right, miss a chance for an interception on a pass intended for New Orleans wide receiver Tommylee Lewis at StubHum Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New Orleans running back Trey Edmunds is upended by Chargers strong safety Dexter McCoil, left, and cornerback Randall Evans, bottom, in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers strong safety Dexter McCoil runs into the end zone to score a touchdown picking off the ball in the fourth quarter against New Orleans at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers strong safety Dexter McCoil, second from left, is congratulated by his teammates after intercepting a pass for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against New Orleans at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers strong safety Dexter McCoil, left, celebrates with teammate Desmond King after he intercepted a pass for a touchdown against New Orleans at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers strong safety Dexter McCoil is all alone as he runs for the end zone to score a touchdown after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against New Orleans at StubHum Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers cornerback Randall Evans, right, breaks up a pass intended for New Orleans wide receiver Corey Fuller at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones, left, looks for an open receiver as New Orleans defensive end Darryl Tapp closes in at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chargers cornerback Brad Watson, left, watches as New Orleans wide receiver Corey Fuller lets a pass slip through his hands at StubHub Center in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Chargers run onto the field at StubHub Center before the start of their game against New Orleans in Carson on Sunday, August 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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CARSON — The Chargers are lucky to have Philip Rivers, as durable as any player in the NFL.

The 35-year-old has yet to miss a regular-season game since becoming the team’s starting quarterback more than a decade ago. He enters his 12th season having started 176 consecutive contests — a franchise record, and the fourth-longest streak by any passer in league history.

So, what might happen to the Chargers if — knock on wood — he finally gets injured?

Sunday offered a peek at a bleak possibility.

After back-to-back joint practices with the Saints this week, Rivers sat out a preseason game at StubHub Center. Without him, the Chargers punted.

And punted.

And punted, and punted and punted.

“That couldn’t have got any uglier, in my opinion,” head coach Anthony Lynn said.

Without their six-time Pro Bowler under center, the Chargers’ offense sputtered en route to a 13-7 loss, punting five straight times in their second preseason appearance in their home stadium. They failed to sustain a drive longer than 25 yards until late in the second quarter — and set that tone almost immediately after winning the coin toss.

On the game’s opening play, the ball went to running back Melvin Gordon, who ran right — and quickly lost nine yards. Backup quarterback Kellen Clemens then missed Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams, overthrowing the latter by several feet.

The second drive lasted only four plays.

The third ended when Clemens took back-to-back sacks.

The fourth possession featured a 14-yard scramble by Clemens, but ended shortly after when he took — yes — another sack. The Saints snuffed out the next drive the same way, with former Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o doing the final honors.

“That killed us,” Lynn said. “Even though we won time of possessions, the sacks are what killed us.”

The ignominious punting streak finally ended with less than two minutes left in the first half. With fourth-and-1 on New Orleans’ 36-yard line, the Chargers gave the ball to Andre Williams. He lost a yard.

Turnover on downs.

This is not to put all the blame on Clemens. The Chargers were also without starting offensive tackles Russell Okung and Joe Barksdale, who were in street clothes nursing ankle injuries. Lynn said earlier this week that both were healthy enough to play in a regular-season game, though Barksdale still wore a protective boot over his right foot.

Reserve offensive linemen Tyreek Burwell and Max Tuerk also left Sunday’s game with hand and finger injuries, but Lynn said their ailments are not serious.

“It’s not just offensive line,” Lynn said. “It’s running backs. It’s tight ends. It’s the whole group. We have to do a better job as coaches, guys getting ready to play. That’s all there is to it.”

There were more promising flashes on the other side of the ball.

Fifth-round pick Desmond King got significant first-team reps when the Chargers showed their nickel defense, and made a series of big plays. A solid tackle on Daniel Lasco in the second quarter snuffed out a Saints’ drive. Near the end of the half, he dropped quarterback Chase Daniel for an 11-yard loss.

In the fourth quarter, safety Dexter McCoil returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown, his team’s only score of the game.

But considering that the Chargers opened the preseason with a 48-17 loss to the Seahawks a week ago, some of the 21,197 fans in attendance on Sunday could be wondering if they’ll have reason to return this fall.

As long as Rivers is healthy, they will.

Chargers sit Philip Rivers, lose 13-7 to Saints in preseason

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