COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Just like all football players, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown said he can play.
The second-year pro suffered a foot injury over the weekend in his team’s 26-24 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at the StubHub Center. Brown played through the pain, but wore a protective boot on his right foot on Monday. After being evaluated by the Chargers’ medical staff, Brown said he was fine and would play against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Brown probably would not practice on Wednesday.
Brown is second in the NFL in tackles with 41 -- an important part of the Chargers' defense that is playing poorly through the first quarter of the season.
The Chargers have allowed 163.5 rushing yards per contest, second-worst in the NFL, and five rushes of 40 yards or more.
The Eagles rushed for an impressive 214 yards against the Chargers last week, including 136 by bullish runner LeGarrette Blount.
"We missed too many tackles, for one," Lynn said about his defense's performance last week. "We're looking at the scheme, seeing what we can do better to put our guys in better position, but at the end of the day, they have to tackle.'
The Chargers face a New York Giants' offense averaging just 59 rushing yards a contest on Sunday, providing a chance for the Bolts to bounce back on defense.
"We have to go out and tackle, just knock somebody to the dirt and get them to the ground," Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget said. "That's pretty much it. That's the only way we can improve on it and get better."
Here are the snap counts for the Chargers Week 4 contest against the Eagles:
OFFENSE (Based on 57 snaps)
Quarterback -- Philip Rivers 57.
Running back -- Melvin Gordon 42, Branden Oliver 12, Derek Watt 6, Austin Ekeler 3.
Wide receiver -- Tyrell Williams 50, Keenan Allen 49, Travis Benjamin 37, Dontrelle Inman 9.
Tight end -- Antonio Gates 36, Hunter Henry 35, Sean McGrath 6
Offensive line -- Russell Okung 57, Spencer Pulley 57, Kenny Wiggins 57, Joe Barksdale 56, Matt Slauson 53, Dan Feeney 4, Michael Schofield 1.
Offensive analysis -- Gordon has 168 rushing yards and is averaging just 3.1 yards Gordon has 168 rushing yards and is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry through four games this season through four games this season. Through four games last year, Gordon had 230 yards. ... The Chargers are last in the NFL in time of possession, holding onto the ball on offense for an average of 25:40 a contest. ... The Bolts are 27th in third down conversions at 34.9 percent.
DEFENSE (Based on 79 snaps)
Line -- Melvin Ingram 67, Joey Bosa 63, Liuget 50, Brandon Mebane 48, Damion Square 29, Darius Philon 29, Chris McCain 20, Tenny Palepoi 17.
Linebacker -- Brown 68, Hayes Pullard 49, Kyle Emanuel 17, Korey Toomer 16, Nigel Harris 8.
Secondary -- Tre Boston 79, Jahleel Addae 79, Trevor Williams 77, Casey Hayward 77, Desmond King 62, Adrian Phillips 14.
Defensive analysis -- Addae led the Chargers in tackles against the Eagles with 11. ... The Chargers are giving up a league-worst 29 yards per kick return. ... The Chargers have just one interception and have forced a total of two turnovers through four games. ... James Onwualu and Austin Ekeler are tight for the team lead in special teams tackles with four apiece. ... Darius Philon lead the Chargers in penalties with four for 15 yards.