CHARLOTTE — Besides the former Chargers on Carolina's roster — safety Tre Boston and offensive linemen Russell Okung and Michael Schofield — no Panther is more familiar with this weekend's opponent than linebacker Tahir Whitehead.
While playing for the AFC West division rival Raiders the past two seasons, Whitehead faced the Los Angeles offense four times. Though the Chargers no longer have quarterback Philip Rivers, Whitehead sees an offense that's very similar to the one he faced late last season following Shane Steichen's promotion to offensive coordinator.
"They're working out some kinks, but you can see that they still have their guys who are making plays," Whitehead said.
First-round pick Justin Herbert will start at quarterback after he took over for the injured Tyrod Taylor just before kickoff last week. Herbert was impressive, especially with such short notice, completing 22 of his 33 passes for 311 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a rushing touchdown against the Chiefs.
Playing on the West Coast for the last two years, Whitehead became familiar with Herbert from watching Oregon games on Saturdays.
"If you're the backup, you're pretty much getting little to no reps at all during game week. So to see what he was able to go out there and do, manage the offense and get them down the field against the Chiefs, I think that was extremely impressive," Whitehead said.
Though it's just one game, Herbert's play last week is enough to get a decent scouting report on the young quarterback. Besides that, Whitehead feels it's best to look at concepts and what Steichen has done in the past.
"I think their offensive personnel and their offensive scheme suits him," Whitehead said. "He didn't look uncomfortable at all out there running the show."
A strong running game is often a young quarterback's best friend, and the Chargers have that with Austin Ekeler and rookie Joshua Kelley. The pair have combined for 301 yards rushing on 70 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt.
While Ekeler leads Los Angeles with 35 carries, he's also earned a reputation for being one of the league's top receiving backs. Last season, Ekeler caught 92 passes for 993 yards with eight touchdowns. Through two games in 2020, he's caught five passes for 58 yards.
Whitehead described Ekeler as a slippery player who's comparable to former Chargers, Saints, and Eagles running back Darren Sproles. But it's the intensity Ekeler plays with that lets Whitehead know the running back came into the league undrafted.
"He makes sure he gets everything out of the opportunity he's been given," Whitehead said. "It's his mindset and the way he plays the game.
"You really need to know where he is on the field at all times and know that they're going to get him involved in some way, shape, or form."
Outside of Ekeler, Los Angeles' top receiving threats in wide receiver Keenan Allen, wide receiver Mike Williams, and tight end Hunter Henry are also tough to stop. The trio has combined for 63 receptions and 372 yards so far in 2020.
"As far as their skill players, they definitely have an opportunity to really make some big plays," Whitehead said. "That's exactly what I've seen from them in their first two games."
The Panthers have been up-and-down on defense through their first two games, with drive-extending penalties a key issue in last week's loss to Tampa Bay. While Whitehead noted Carolina improved its tackling from Week 1 to Week 2, other problems can't keep popping up.
"As long as we pull it all together, I think we really have a good defense, and we can go out there and make some noise," Whitehead said.
Carolina holds a 5-1 edge in the all-time series against the Chargers.
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert scores against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs past the defense of San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams celebrates as the referee indicates touchdown after his 45 yard reception against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert sails over the top of the San Diego Chargers defense to score a touchdown during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers loses the battle for the fumbled ball with Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Nate Chandler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Tolbert (35) tries to break the tackle of San Diego Chargers Eric Weddle (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers tight end Dante Rosario (88) runs as he tries to break the tackle of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle watch as Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams(34) and Cam Newton(1) celebrate their 45 yard touchdown pass during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton escapes the rush of San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Donald Butler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Tailgaters enjoy the sunshine prior to start of the NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith cuts behind a block after catching a ,pass against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) looks for some running room as he runs past San Diego Chargers' Derek Watt (34) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart, front, tries to run through the grasp of San Diego Chargers' Korey Toomer, back, during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass from the end zone against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) grimaces as he is sacked for a touchback by Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks for some running room against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner, left, shakes hands with Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 in San Diego. The Panthers won 31-7. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Kenneth Farrow (27) looses his helmet, but moves the ball against the Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) and Mario Addison (97) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) lifts San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson off the ground as he tackles him on a 8-yard run in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox coaches defensive end Julius Peppers, left, during the third quarter of their NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won the game 26-24. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris celebrates after forcing San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates to fumble in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble returned the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme throws a pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won 26-24. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers Dante Rosario, right, leaps to catch a 14-yard pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme while San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, left foreground, defends during the final moments of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The play gave Carolina a 26-24 victory over San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) fumbles as he is hit by Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) and cornerback Chris Gamble, left, during an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Gamble recovered the fumble and ran it back 31 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers tight end Dante Rosario, left, makes a 14-yard touchdown catch in front of the coverage of San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, right, as time runs out in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The touchdown gave the Panthers a 26-24 win. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers, left, slips past Carolina Panthers free safety Charles Godfrey (30) for a touchdown on a 44-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Derek Smith, right, on an eight-yard run during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers Thomas Davis, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Jesse Chatman (24) goes between teammate Shane Olivea (70) and Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch (28) for a touchdown in the final minutes of the Chargers' 17-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass to Lorenzo Neal (41) in the third quarter of the Chargers' 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
A potential touchdown pass slips through the hands of Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. The Chargers won, 17-6. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Terrence Kiel (48) in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87) is brought down by San Diego Chargers' Jerry Wilson in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) spikes a ball during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) runs upfield during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Running back Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka (21) of the Carolina Panthers runs upfield as Chargers linebacker Junior Seau (55) attempts a tackle as Chargers defensive tackle Norman Hand (96) watches in a 26 to 7 win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qaulcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
