In any sport, whether it is for the Los Angeles Chargers or another team, durability is a coach’s best friend. Playing multiple positions gives a coach that flexibility.
A couple of examples in the NFL include San Francisco 49ers Deebo Samuel and Green Bay Packers Jayden Reed, who are both primary wide receivers, but also are used in the running game. In addition, New Orleans Saints’ Taysom Hill can run, pass, and throw the pigskin.
There are also players who play multiple positions on defense, like defensive ends that can also play outside linebacker.
However, the Los Angeles Chargers have a player who cannot only play offense but also play defense and special teams.
Scott Matlock appeared in 12 games for the Bolts on the team’s defensive line last year while also earning snaps on special teams as a rookie from Boise State.
Matlock, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs nearly 300 pounds, has a new additional role under new head coach Jim Harbaugh in 2024. This new role also brought a number change from No. 99 to No. 44.
That is being the team’s starting fullback to support the running game.
Let’s break down how Matlock is used on this Los Angeles Chargers roster.
How Scott Matlock’s Career As The Los Angeles Chargers Fullback Started
It all began in the offseason and Harbaugh liked what Matlock brings to the franchise.
Then, in the Chargers second preseason game. Matlock was on the field with the offense, something he never did in his rookie season last year. The play was a third-and-goal situation at the 1-yard line to block as an extra tight end.
After watching film in the ensuing days, his role offensively evolved to getting more time with the offense, earning six offensive snaps, in addition to 27 on defense and seven on special teams in the third and final preseason game.
The evolution of his position on offense also expanded from being a tight end to being off the line and behind the O-Line as a fullback.
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The Los Angeles Chargers Defense
Playing defensive tackle is what got Matlock to the NFL. He was a sixth-round pick in 2023 from the Broncos program in Boise.
Last year, he learned from players like Morgan Fox and Austin Johnson to make that adjustment from playing in the Mountain West Conference to the NFL. As the season progressed, Matlock was able to take in that information and even get on the field with a healthy amount of playing time in the final month of the season.
Now in 2024, he has played two dozen snaps, spelling any starters that may need a break as a reserve defensive lineman.
Against Carolina last week, Matlock had the fourth-highest Pro Football Focus grade on the defense at 85.3. He was the team’s best defensive tackle and trailed cornerback Kristian Fulton (87.9), linebacker Daiyan Henley (90.5) and safety Elijah Molden (92.5)
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The Los Angeles Chargers Offense
The Los Angeles Chargers’ strong run game is not only fueled by the offensive line and the running backs but also by Matlock at the fullback position.
The art of the fullback is a position that can fuel offenses to have that extra blocker in the running game who does line up at the line of scrimmage.
In addition, being close to 300 pounds with the mobility Matlock has, gives him and the team the opportunity to bulldoze their way down the field and open gaps for J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.
“It’s definitely a cool thing to do, get there on offense, line up in the backfield, lead up there, and help the boys block,” Matlock said following the Chargers Week 1 victory against Las Vegas. “I’ve been blocking all my life from peewee ball. I was always an O-Lineman, so it kind of comes naturally.”
In last week’s game against Carolina, Matlock had the critical block that helped score a 44-yard touchdown.
Matlock was able to complete the seal of the Panthers defensive line before moving up to the linebacker and keeping the gap open for Dobbins to find the seam down the sideline and into the endzone for the score.
As a result, through two games, Matlock has played 45 offensive snaps, 23 on defense and 29 on special teams.
He is the only player this season to play at least five offensive snaps and five defensive snaps.
Having to play all three phases at the game’s highest level can be a challenge. It is one thing to play all three positions at the college level or lower, but to do it at an NFL level says a lot about the mentality Matlock has in impacting games for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 2-0 entering Week 3.
“Anything I can do to help the team, I’ll do it,” Matlock said.
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