SAN DIEGO -- Although it’s still an exhibition game, San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy anticipates a festive environment when his team visits the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
The third preseason game is traditionally considered a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Add to that the fact the Chargers will take part in the first NFL game played in the Vikings' sparkling new facility, U.S. Bank Stadium, and there should be some energy in the crowd at least at the start of the game.
“It’s going to be great for our team,” McCoy said. “I’m looking forward to playing in the new stadium. It’s going to be a great environment for our team to go into.
“You know in the NFL when you go on the road it’s going to be loud. And in Minnesota traditionally when they were inside (in the Metrodome) they had one of the loudest places, so I expect it to be loud. And what they do defensively will be great for our offense to work in a loud, hostile environment.”
Instead of traveling on Friday, the Chargers will fly out early Saturday morning, in time to have a short walk-through practice at the new stadium. The Chargers’ brass also will take a tour of the facility.
A year ago, Chargers chairman Dean Spanos and others in the team’s front office got an up-close look at the progress of the new facility before his team faced the Vikings in Minnesota in Week 3, a 31-14 setback.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is expected to play at least a quarter against the Vikings, and likes the fact that his team’s schedule this weekend sets up similarly to the regular-season opener on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks.
“It does give us our first chance at an early-morning-opener schedule,” Rivers said. “And I know that’s how we practice here, but to actually get a chance to do it exactly how we’re going to do it two weeks from then, I think that’s big.”
Even though Vikings running back Adrian Peterson won't be playing on Sunday, Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is looking forward to playing in front of his mentor.
Gordon worked out with Peterson this summer in Houston in preparation for his second NFL season.
“It will be good to be out there in front of him,” Gordon said. “He’s just a guy I look up to, honestly. So any time I get a chance to play in front of him, it’s an honor because I grew up watching him.”
Chargers receiver James Jones expects a lively crowd on Sunday. The former Green Bay Packers receiver spent most of his career playing against the Vikings twice a season.
“Minnesota fans are passionate,” Jones said. “I played in the division for eight years, so I know exactly how passionate those fans are.
“I’m sure they’re going to pack out the stadium. There’s going to be a lot of people there, and it’s going to be loud. It’s always loud in there, so I don’t care if it’s preseason or a scrimmage, it will be a good challenge for us.”
Injury update: Guard D.J. Fluker did not practice for a third straight day due to a sprained right foot, and is not expected to play against the Vikings. Undrafted rookie Spencer Pulley or Kenny Wiggins will likely start at right guard in place of Fluker. Safety Jahleel Addae returned to practice on Friday after not practicing on Thursday with an unspecified injury.