The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers’ preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys came at a cost.

Sure the 17-7 victory on Thursday in the opening game came with a feel-good moment. Yes, all that hard work is paying off.

But two players who are expected to play significant roles this season are out for a bit. Johnnie Troutman was in the running to play right guard, after starting 15 games last year, although most of them were on the opposite side. But among the positives provided by signing left guard Orlando Franklin as a free agent was that it added depth to the line. And it was clear the Chargers — they had five players start games at center — needed every bit of it last year.

Troutman, though, broke his arm and his return has yet to be determined.

On the other side of the ball, outside linebacker Tourek Williams broke a bone in his foot. Williams could have a big role this year, especially considering the inconsistency/health questions of Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu.

But head coach Mike McCoy said neither player, as of right now, is being placed on injured-reserve.

So while the win was a good thing, the Chargers did lose two big cogs.

But among the positives were quarterback Philip Rivers looking sharp, a rebuilt offensive line blocking well and some fresh faces doing well.

One of those fresh faces was inside linebacker Denzel Perryman, a second-round pick from Miami. Yes, he got a penalty for a late hit, but he’s hitting anything that moves and that’s a plus.

“He is a very instinctive player,” McCoy said. “He has a bright future with us.”

The Chargers are thinking that same thing about the upcoming season. Nothing that happened on Thursday — outside the injuries — clouds that optimism.

–Running back Danny Woodhead returned to the field for the first time since breaking his leg in the third game of last season. Woodhead scored on a 5-yard run, where he showed a good burst.

“I feel really good,” Woodhead said. “It’s been a long process, but I feel really good. It was great to get out there and get in the end zone.”

–Right guard D.J. Fluker played his first snaps at the position, after two years of being right tackle, and was a tackle in his days at Alabama as well. Fluker would rather play tackle, but he’s also a team guy.

“This game gave me confidence that if they need me there, I can play there,” he said. “This game is about being versatile. I’m a player that can be versatile and lead the way.”

–Running back Melvin Gordon was so-so in his debut, rushing for 11 yards on six carries.

“I just have to watch film, look at the mistakes I made, and I definitely will come out next preseason (game) playing a lot better,” he said.