Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Los Angeles Chargers camp is taking place in El Segundo, California and Chargers reporter Kris Rhim has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at camp. We will update this file often. How are the new faces around quarterback Justin Herbert faring? Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let's get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Thursday.
Latest news from Chargers camp
Friday, Aug. 8
Second-round rookie Tre Harris' training camp thus far has been marred by inconsistency, and Friday's practice reflected that. The receiver had two drops Friday, including one that resulted in an interception to rookie defensive back RJ Mickens. The other drop was perhaps his worst of camp, a deep ball from quarterback Justin Herbert that slipped through Harris' hands.
The puzzling part about Harris' drops is the great plays he makes otherwise. On Friday, he made a contested touchdown catch with cornerback Eric Rogers in coverage that drew cheers from fans. But that has been the story of Harris' camp, as his play has fluctuated between exemplary and poor.
More:
After the season-ending injury to left tackle Rashawn Slater, coach Jim Harbaugh said Friday that offensive tackle Joe Alt would move to left tackle and Trey Pipkins III would move to right. "I's like a gut punch," Harbaugh said of losing Slater. "I just feel bad, feel bad for Rashawn."
Thursday, Aug. 7
Chargers receiver Keenan Allen returned to Chargers practice Thursday, welcomed by the roars of many fans wearing his jersey. Allen spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Chargers before L.A. traded him to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick ahead of last season, after Allen declined to take a pay cut.
Allen was active and in pads for his first day working with the first and second teams. He caught multiple passes throughout practice, including one from quarterback Justin Herbert. Allen lined up both in the slot and wide.
Allen said he always expected to be back with the Chargers since the offseason began, and he is motivated by how limited his options were this offseason. He is 53 receptions away from breaking Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates' record for the most receptions in franchise history.
"I've still got a little hunger, a little chip on my shoulder," Allen said.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Camp recap: Who has been the standout performer of camp?
KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The rookie fifth-round pick has been the Chargers' most consistent receiver this training camp.
Lambert-Smith's ability to adjust and track the football has been particularly impressive. He has consistently made highlight grabs and become a reliable target.
Lambert-Smith's role during the regular season remains unclear, as the signing of wide receiver Keenan Allen likely moves him further down the depth chart.
Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer in preseason games?
Has the Chargers' offensive line improved?
The biggest issue facing this team since last season's wild-card trouncing by the Houston Texans is the Chargers' inconsistent offensive line, particularly the interior.
Quarterback Justin Herbert was pressured on 50% of his dropbacks and sacked four times in the 32-12 loss.
The Chargers made just one change to last year's line, replacing last year's right guard, Trey Pipkins, with Mekhi Becton. Any time this group plays together this preseason will be telling in how deep a run the Chargers make this season.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
On the day the Chargers reunited with wide receiver Keenan Allen, wide receiver Mike Williams -- who also rejoined the Chargers briefly in the offseason before retiring ahead of training camp -- made his first public comments about his retirement Tuesday night.
"Chat, I'm retired, but you never know," Williams said while playing Call of Duty live on Twitch. "Not this year, though."
Williams, 30, said he still works out daily and will be streaming and making videos more often. He regularly hinted at a return to football in the future throughout the stream.
Williams, who is Allen's close friend, was playing Call of Duty with Allen on stream Tuesday night.
More:
Undrafted rookie free agent quarterback DJ Uiagalelei changed his number from 13 to seven so Allen could return to his original number. There were loud cheers and chants of "Keenan" as fans checked their phones and learned of Allen's return at the beginning of practice.
Monday, Aug. 4
One of the biggest question marks facing the Chargers this training camp was who would start at center and left guard.
L.A.'s interior line was abysmal last season and they upgraded at right guard by signing Mekhi Becton. Still, all training camp coach Jim Harbaugh had been holding a competition for the other two interior spots. After trying Zion Johnson (last season's starting left guard) and Bradley Bozeman (last year's starting center) at both spots, the Chargers appear to have landed on the same pairing this season.
Harbaugh said Monday that Bozeman at center and Johnson at left guard make up the Chargers' "best five."
"I'm just bullish on the offensive line," he said.
Harbaugh said that Johnson will still likely play center in the Chargers' preseason game against the Saints this Sunday.
Sunday, Aug. 3
Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice had his best training camp practice Sunday, with two touchdown catches and many other catches throughout the day. Rice, one of the Chargers' seventh-round picks from last season, had the best catch of the day on a leaping goal-line fade touchdown grab over cornerback Deane Leonard.
Rice needed Sunday's strong performance, as he appears to be on the bubble to make the Chargers roster. He hadn't flashed in the first 12 days of camp, while other receivers, including rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith, have impressed.
Rice played just nine snaps in the Chargers' preseason win over the Lions, the least of any receiver. He caught one pass for 13 yards.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Chargers training camp has quickly become the KeAndre Lambert-Smith show. On Saturday, the rookie wide receiver continued his impressive summer with two deep touchdowns from quarterback Justin Herbert.
One score came on a 53-yard catch with defensive back Deane Leonard smothered on him, and another where Lambert-Smith was too quick for defenders against the Chargers.
Lambert-Smith rotates with different quarterbacks at practice and has made plays with each one; he has been among the Chargers' most consistent offensive players. His practice performances translated to the Chargers' preseason win against the Detroit Lions, where he had two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
"KeAndre had a big day," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "He took the practice field to the game."
More:
Running back Najee Harris made his first appearance at practice in football attire, wearing a helmet, cleats, sweats and long sleeves. Harris walked around the practice field with a weighted vest. Harris' eye, damaged in a Fourth of July fireworks incident, was covered by his visor. He walked around six laps during practice before going into the facility.
Tuesday, July 29
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that he has "no timeline" for running back Najee Harris' return to practice. Harbaugh has also said that he is unsure if Harris will return for training camp.
"He's doing everything he possibly can," Harbaugh said.
Harris sustained an eye injury in a fireworks mishap on July 4 and the team placed him on the non-football injury/illness list on July 16. He has been on the field watching the team practice for multiple days but has worn shades covering his eyes each day. Harris' agent, Doug Hendrickson, originally called Harris' eye injury "superficial."
More:
Rookie wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, one of the stars of training camp so far, spoke to reporters for the first time Tuesday. Lambert-Smith has excelled at adjusting while the ball is in the air for impressive catches: "When the ball is in the air, I feel like it's mine."
Monday, July 28
A day after signing the richest contract by average annual pay ever given to a lineman, offensive tackle Rashawn Slater was back in uniform and at practice Monday for the first time since July 18.
Slater said his practice absence wasn't related to a contract dispute, but a blister he had at the beginning of camp. Slater said the blister in his right foot had to be "carved out," leaving a hole in his foot, and made practicing early on in camp uncomfortable.
On Monday, he went through individual drills for the first time since his injury, and then worked off to the side with the executive director of player performance, Ben Herbert, for the remainder of practice.
"I think tomorrow I'm going to be able to do a little bit more," Slater said. "Just ramping it up."
this feels right pic.twitter.com/rU6GnuDblE
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 28, 2025
More:
The battle for the starting center job continued Monday, as Bradley Bozeman practiced with the first team, Zion Johnson with the second and Andre James with the third. Prior to Monday, Johnson and Bozeman had rotated playing center and left guard each day. Each player fared well, but Johnson had the biggest blunder, with a snap going over quarterback Trey Lance's head during a team period.
Saturday, July 26
Before Saturday's practice, coach Jim Harbaugh and staff had been clear that the Chargers' offensive line starters were set; the lone question was where Bradley Bozeman and Zion Johnson would play. Bozeman and Johnson have rotated between left guard and center each day of practice as the team has looked to find which pairing fits the best.
After Saturday's practice, however, coordinator Greg Roman said that Andre James, whom the team signed in free agency, has entered the competition for the starting center job.
"I think he's doing a better job making the calls, running the offensive line as a new guy coming in, new system, Roman said. "He's a little bit behind the other guys that have been in the system for a year, but also, his presence and physicality, he does some good instinctual things too."
Friday, July 25
Chargers running back Najee Harris, who sustained an eye injury during a July 4 fireworks mishap and hasn't practiced yet during training camp, was on the field observing for the second day in a row. Harris was wearing shades and a hat on Friday, hiding his eye from public view, as he had done the day prior.
Harris, who has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, is expected to be a crucial part of the Chargers' rushing offense, but the team hasn't given a timeline for his return. Without Harris, running back Omarion Hampton has taken most of the first-team reps, where he's been explosive and fluid.
"He'll be back when he's back," coach Jim Harbaugh said Friday.
More:
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Dalevon Campbell had the catch of the day Friday. Campbell (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) snagged a 50-50 ball out of the air during an 11-on-11 period and was celebrated by teammates and fans after.
Thursday, July 24
The seventh day of Chargers practice felt the closest to in-game action. Coach Jim Harbaugh gave more of a green light to his players to practice more physically than they had been before as the team went through their third day of padded practices.
Linebacker Daiyan Henley and defensive tackle Teair Tart stood out Thursday, getting explosive tackles for losses in a team drill. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said the defense was "amped up" because of the added intensity. He said he expects Tart to be a dominant force for the Chargers on the interior.
"It's really, for the first time for him, to be in a place where he's really comfortable, where he knows what we expect out of him," Minter said. "... He's very talented. He's got a lot of ability and so I really look forward to him having a great year."
Wednesday, July 23
The star of practice was rookie wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith -- again. The fifth-round pick adjusted for a pass from quarterback Trey Lance that was slightly underthrown and snagged the ball over cornerback Deane Leonard. On another play, Smith adjusted again while the ball was in the air and caught a ball while falling backwards with cornerback Cam Hart in coverage.
Here's that KeAndre Lambert-Smith catch, another good day for the rookie pic.twitter.com/YUV0z0acJC
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) July 23, 2025
Both plays drew roars from the crowd in San Diego and some celebration from Lambert-Smith. Lambert-Smith mainly practices with the second team offense, but his role could increase as he stacks impressive days.
"He had two great practices," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "He made a couple of adjustments today on the ball that you can't coach."
Tuesday, July 22
Fifth-round rookie wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith had an impressive day of practice. He had perhaps the day's best highlight in 1-on-1 drills when he snagged a ball over the outstretched arms of cornerback Deane Leonard and tapped both feet in bounds on the sideline.
He also recorded multiple catches during the team periods. Lambert-Smith had missed time earlier in camp with an undisclosed injury, but quarterback Justin Herbert said Lambert-Smith hasn't missed a step. "He's a special player," Herbert said. "... He's one of those guys you just gotta get him the ball ... he's going to go out there and make a play."
Here's that KeAndre Lambert-Smith catch from 1v1s pic.twitter.com/MGTVK0wdEu
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) July 22, 2025
More:
Coach Jim Harbaugh said that second-year wide receiver Ladd McConkey has been "uncoverable" at practice and is reaching another level after his record-breaking rookie season. "He's even better than he was last year," Harbaugh said.