The Rams had a rocky start to their third game of the preseason, committing two costly turnovers in the first quarter. At halftime, the Rams are down 21-9 to the Chargers. Here are a few notes from the first 30 minutes of action.

MANY STARTERS SIT

The Rams announced pregame that a number of healthy starters would not dress for the matchup, including running back Todd Gurley, middle linebacker Alec Ogletree, defensive tackle Michael Brockers, and outside linebacker Connor Barwin. There was a chance outside linebacker Robert Quinn would play, but he also did not dress.

Though it wasn't announced cornerback Kayvon Webster and safety Maurice Alexander would not dress, neither appeared on the Chargers' first possession. And so the result was the home team beginning the contest with just two of its 11 defensive starters on the field.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers led the visitors on a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 45-yard touchdown pass to the speedy wideout Travis Benjamin.

TOO MANY TURNOVERS

The offense looked like it was off to a good start, advancing to the Chargers' eight-yard line. But on 3rd-and-7 from that spot, outside linebacker Joey Boss recorded a strip-sack on quarterback Jared Goff. The Chargers' Melvin Ingram was there to recover the loose ball, and returned it for a touchdown.

The visitors scored more points off of a Rams' turnover, when a Goff pass was intercepted by Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett on the left side. It took nine plays, but running back Melvin Gordon finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give the Chargers a 21-0 lead with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter.

Goff finished his night 5-of-8 passing for 56 yards with an interception and a fumble. Backup quarterback Sean Mannion came in to relieve Goff midway through the second quarter.

HEMINGWAY CARTED OFF

Early in the second quarter, second-year tight end Temarrick Hemingway was carted off the field after suffering an apparent leg injury. There's been no injury update as of halftime, though head coach Sean McVay may have more information after the game.

PICK FOR HATFIELD

Undrafted rookie cornerback Dominique Hatfield made a case to make the initial 53-man roster with a nice interception midway through the second quarter.

On 3rd-and-2 from the Rams' 49-yard line, Chargers reserve quarterback Cardale Jones fired a shot pass to Benjamin on the right. Hatfield was there to contest the catch, and ripped the ball from Benjamin's arms for the takeaway.

The Rams would get points off the turnover with a 21-yard field goal by kicker Greg Zuerlein.