LONDON – As Caleb Sturgis sat out the last two weeks with a lingering quad injury, his replacement, Michael Badgley, has given the Chargers a decision to make.

The rookie remains perfect on kicks since the Chargers signed him less than two weeks ago, after another spotless showing on Sunday. In a 20-19 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Badgley knocked through two more field goals (from 28 and 29 yards) and two extra points, punctuating a two-week audition that’s offered some much-needed consistency to the Chargers’ otherwise erratic kicking game.

But while he’s yet to miss any kicks with points on the line, another issue may have emerged on Sunday, one that could potentially convince the Chargers to return to Sturgis after the team’s Week 8 bye.

As a kickoff specialist, Badgley left much to be desired in his second start. And while the Chargers pulled off a narrow victory, his short kickoffs consistently put their defense in precarious positions.

Four of Badgley’s five kickoffs resulted in the Titans starting their drive at the 33-yard-line or better, putting a tired Chargers defense in a bind. On Tennessee’s only touchdown before the final minute, the Titans started their drive at the Chargers’ own 42-yard-line, after a penalty.

“I’d like for his kickoffs to be a little longer,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. “Something bad can happen. It didn’t. Those guys did a good job of covering, but we need a little more hang time, a little more distance.”

Badgley described his issue on kickoffs as “a timing thing”.

“It just irritates me because it gave them such good field position and it gave them the ability to score easier because it didn’t set our defense up well,” Badgley said. “I know what I’m capable of doing, so it doesn’t worry me, I just know I have to get it right.”

He may not get the chance to iron out the problem. With an extra week to rest his injured quad, Sturgis is expected to be ready to return in Week 9, when the Chargers travel to Seattle. That means the Chargers will likely make a decision on which kicker to carry moving forward sometime either this week or next.

Lynn wouldn’t offer much insight into the decision, other than to acknowledge that there would be a decision to make. However, his frustration with Sturgis’ missed kicks could potentially outweigh concerns over Badgley’s work on kickoffs.

When asked whether he’d done enough to claim the job, Badgley demurred.

“I guess I’ll let them make that decision,” he said, “but I’ve had a great time and it’s been awesome. Hopefully I can stay a Charger.”

BYE, BYE, BYE

After a 10-day trip that kept them in Cleveland all last week, before spending last weekend in London, the Chargers will get a much-needed respite as they carry a four-game win streak into their bye week.

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Chargers plan to stick with QB Tyrod Taylor if healthy over rookie Justin Herbert Running back Melvin Gordon is expected to return healthy, after sitting out Sunday’s game. Rookie linebacker Kyzir White should also return, after missing the last three games following minor knee surgery.

But most crucial of all, the Chargers’ next game could potentially mark the return of Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa. An ESPN report on Sunday suggested that Bosa expects to return for the Chargers’ Week 9 matchup with the Seahawks on Nov. 4.

“It’s a real nice time for the bye, to be honest with you,” linebacker Denzel Perryman said.

Following their week off, the Chargers have a nice schedule to look forward to, as well.

None of their next four opponents – Seattle, Oakland, Denver or Arizona — will carry a winning record into the Week 8 slate. Their combined record through six weeks is just 8-18.