Drew Kaser won’t be out of a job this week.

He just won’t be asked to handle an important aspect of it.

The rookie punter is one of two Chargers players who lost the handle of the football Sunday at a critical time. The other, running back Melvin Gordon, isn’t expected to see his usage change moving forward. Coach Mike McCoy was unable to say the same Monday about Kaser, who likely will be pulled from his role as holder on field goals and extra points.

McCoy said that the team will evaluate its replacement options in practice this week. No. 2 quarterback Kellen Clemens figures to be among them.


This decision comes after Kaser mishandled a snap on a potential game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter of a 34-31 Sunday loss to the Raiders. Kaser hasn’t been nails as a punter, either; his lone attempt Sunday went 16 yards and out of bounds, swaying field position and helping lead to an early fourth-quarter touchdown.

But despite the error — and a critical 17-yard punt in Week 1 versus the Chiefs — he will remain the Chargers’ punter.

At least, for now.

At some point, Kaser must find the form displayed in practice, exhibition games and during his Texas A&M career. The sixth-round pick led the NFL in punt distance this preseason, averaging 52.3 yards. His net average of 43.8 yards ranked fourth in the league. Those numbers are down to a league-low 39.1 and a fourth-worst 35.8 this regular season.


Kaser’s issues may be psychological.

He has shown the tools but not the ability to tap into them when they’re needed most.

“He’s still our punter, and we may explore a few options on what we want to do as a holder,” McCoy said. “We’ll talk about that as we go. We’ll do some things (Tuesday) at practice. We’re going to discuss that. … I think Drew is a very talented player. He’s got a really bright future in this league. He really does.

“He had the first mishap in Kansas City, and then unfortunately, he had another one (Sunday), and I’m talking the punter part of it, not the hold part of it. And then you come back out here (in practice) after the Kansas City week and you see him kick that ball during practice. I mean, unbelievable. … When you get out there and the game is on the line, you have to perform. It’s an unfortunate situation.”


The Chargers will host the Broncos on Thursday.

Unlike Kaser, Gordon’s role is not expected to be different than his last outing.

Gordon fumbled late in the third quarter, his second fumble on 12 touches after none in the first three-plus games. The first came in Week 4 and led to a fourth-quarter touchdown, sparking the Saints’ comeback from a 13-point deficit with less than seven minutes remaining.

Like his first fumble, Sunday’s turnover led to a touchdown drive.


The Raiders opened it at the Chargers’ 38-yard line.

“He’s our back. He’s going to get going,” McCoy said. “He’s not going to put the ball on the ground. That’s got to be the mindset. ... Mel, I talked to him right after the game; we were sitting down in front of the bus and we talked about that. He understands what he’s got to do. He can’t put the ball on the ground. The last two weeks, it’s happened too many times. It’s costly mistakes to our team. ...

“There’s a time and place when you fight for extra yards. But when you’re in a pile and certain things, you have to wrap it up because now you’re marked. ….The players, they watch the film. So now they know, when we hand the ball off to 28, they’re all going for it. (Ball security) is always important, but now, you’ve got a bull’s-eye on you.”

michael.gehlken@sduniontribune.com


Twitter: @SDUTgehlken