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Najee Harris Najee Harris On track for active roster
Tue, Aug 26, 2025, 3:26 PM
The Chargers plan to move Harris (eye) to the active roster from the non-football injury list, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: As Kris Rhim of ESPN.com notes, the looming move suggests that the Chargers don't expect Harris to miss four games to start the season, but at this stage it's not a lock that he'll be available in Week 1. Harris, who sustained an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, has been on the active/non-football injury list since July 17. |
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Brenden Rice Brenden Rice Set to be dropped
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 9:25 PM
Rice is slated to be waived by the Chargers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Rice appeared in three of the team's preseason contests, reeling in three catches for 32 yards. The wide receiver appeared in three regular-season contests with Los Angeles in 2024, failing to record any stats while playing three offensive snaps and 10 snaps on special teams. Rice will now be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, there's a solid chance he sticks around as a member of the Chargers' practice squad. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Has chance to play Week 1
Sat, Aug 23, 2025, 11:05 PM
GM Joe Hortiz said during Saturday's preseason game at San Francisco that Harris is "doing great, going through all the medical processes," but the running back is "on track, and I think he should be able to go, hopefully Week 1," Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: These comments from Hortiz are a sharp departure from those via coach Jim Harbaugh, who told Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site on Thursday that when Harris is "ready to play, he'll be ready to play." Harris has been on the active/non-football injury list since the start of training camp after suffering an apparent eye injury during a fireworks accident at a Fourth of July event. How the team proceeds on cut-down day this Tuesday may be telling for his availability for the season opener on Friday, Sept. 5 against the Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. If he's activated from active/NFI, Harris will have a chance to join rookie Omarion Hampton in L.A.'s Week 1 backfield. If he's moved to the reserve/non-football injury list, however, Harris will be required to miss at least the first four games of the campaign. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Progressing in concussion protocol
Fri, Aug 22, 2025, 9:01 AM
Johnston (concussion) did individual drills at practice Thursday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It's a sign of progress through the concussion protocol after a hard hit knocked him out of Saturday's preseason loss to the Rams. The quick return to practice, even in a limited capacity, suggests Johnston is on track for Week 1 against the Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He mostly worked with the first-string offense this summer, but his season-long role is in doubt after the Chargers drafted WRs Tre Harris (second round) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (fifth round) and signed Keenan Allen. The depth chart may be fluid beyond leading man Ladd McConkey. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Doing more, but still no practice
Fri, Aug 22, 2025, 8:33 AM
Harris (eye) has ramped up his workload of late, with Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh recently saying that the running back feels better with each passing day, Eric Smith of chargers.com reports.
Analysis: Harris remains on the non-football injury list, limited to individual/rehab work and still not ready to practice with teammates. That's an obvious concern for his Week 1 availability with the start of the season less than three weeks away, but it does at least seem like the Chargers expect him to contribute at some point this season. Harris suffered a fireworks accident earlier this summer, keeping him out for all of training camp and leaving rookie Omarion Hampton without serious competition for first-team work this summer. Harris will be ineligible for Weeks 1-4 if the Chargers don't activate him from the NFI list by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance Playing one or two series Saturday
Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 2:32 PM
Lance will start Saturday's preseason finale against the 49ers and play one or two possessions, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Lance will command the Chargers' second-team offense Saturday while the team's starters rest. Los Angeles' plan is then for Taylor Heinicke to enter in relief of Lance and play a series or two, after which DJ Uiagalelei will close out the exhibition matchup. Lance and Heinicke are in competition for the No. 2 quarterback gig behind Justin Herbert. |
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Jalen Reagor Jalen Reagor Returns to team drills Wednesday
Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 2:06 PM
Reagor (lower body) returned to team drills Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Reagor had been sidelined by a lower-body injury since late July. Prior to that point, Reagor had been working with the first-team offense in drills, though he has likely dropped a few spots on the depth chart since then due to the development or rookies Tre Harris (undisclosed) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, as well as the signing of veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Reagor's battling for a spot on the Chargers' 53-man roster, and his chances of making the team could be bolstered if Quentin Johnston's (concussion) absence stretches into the regular season. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris No team drills Thursday
Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 12:54 PM
Harris (undisclosed) didn't participate in team drills Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Harris left practice Wednesday with trainers after individual drills and a day later was once again held out of the team portion of practice. The rookie wideout's unspecified injury issue thus clouds his status for Saturday's preseason finale against the 49ers. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Exits with trainers
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 3:56 PM
Harris left Wednesday's practice early with trainers, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The rookie likely suffered an injury, though perhaps just a minor one, during Wednesday's practice. He caught six of eight targets for 85 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Rams -- a potential springboard to make his move up the depth chart after not much noise on that front during training camp. With Harris and Quentin Johnston (concussion) potentially now missing practice time, rookie fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith should get more first-team reps alongside Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen. |
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Oronde Gadsden Oronde Gadsden Plays behind Dissly
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 11:19 PM
Gadsden made one catch on two targets for 12 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Gadsden started each of the Chargers' first two preseason contests, but the team hadn't played their projected starters in either game. The first-team offense took the field Saturday, with Will Dissly serving as the tight end. Gadsden has received strong reviews for his play during training camp, but it still might take some time for him to make a consistent impact in meaningful game situations. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance Returns from hand injury
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 11:15 PM
Lance completed seven of 15 passes for 121 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams. He added four rushes for 25 yards.
Analysis: Lance dealt with a hand injury in the week of practice leading up to Saturday's contest, but he was able to take the field as he continues to compete for the backup job behind Justin Herbert. Lance entered the game late in the second quarter following Taylor Heinicke, suggesting he is currently third on the depth chart. Neither Lance nor Heinicke were all that impressive in their opportunity, though Lance did deliver a nice deep ball to Tre Harris late in the third quarter to set up a touchdown. |
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Hype keeps building
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 11:09 PM
Lambert-Smith recorded two receptions on six targets for 66 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith entered the game on the Chargers' opening drive after Quentin Johnston (concussion) was injured, following Keenan Allen but prior to fellow rookie Tre Harris. The latter development may have been the result of the fact Lambert-Smith was better suited to fill Johnston's downfield role, as both rookies ultimately played well beyond the starters' departure from the contest. Regardless, Lambert-Smith is clearly in the mix for early playing time come the regular season, and he helped his cause by splitting double coverage for a 29-yard catch on a pass from Justin Herbert on the first possession of the game. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Strong preseason performance
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 11:04 PM
Harris recorded six receptions on eight targets for 85 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Harris and fellow rookie wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith were big factors in the game. Late in the third quarter, Harris flashed the big-play ability the Chargers were hoping for when they selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft when he caught a 34-yard pass on a route deep down the right sideline. Despite the strong showing, Harris' role on the team is in question due to the recent addition of Keenan Allen and the emergence of Lambert-Smith. Allen was the first of the group to enter the game, while Lambert-Smith replaced an injured Quentin Johnston (concussion) four plays into the contest. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Plays with starters
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 10:53 PM
Hampton carried the ball twice for 12 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Hampton played in one series with the rest of the Chargers' starters and logged gains of five and seven yards. More importantly, he was the only back to appear with the starting offensive unit, which included Justin Herbert. Hampton is likely to be a part of a rotation at the start of the regular season, though it remains to be seen if he is paired with Najee Harris (eye) or one of a few other running backs vying for a role in the team's backfield. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Leads one series
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 10:48 PM
Herbert completed two of five passes for 46 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Herbert made a brief appearance, leading one drive that went nine plays and 51 yards. Though his completion percentage left something to be desired, Herbert displayed plenty to be encouraged about, connecting early with Ladd McConkey on a short pass before hitting KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 29-yard gain down the left sideline. Herbert may not see the field again until the regular season, but he appears ready to roll if that is the case. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Makes brief preseason appearance
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 10:41 PM
McConkey made one reception on one target for 17 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: McConkey played one series with the majority of the Chargers' starters, including Justin Herbert. He hauled in his only target over the middle of the field and made a few defenders miss to pick up extra yardage. McConkey may not see the field again until Week 1 of the regular season, but his rapport with Herbert appears to be on track. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Suffers concussion
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 9:46 PM
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Johnston sustained a concussion during Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Johnston was on the receiving end of a big hit from a Rams defender on a missed connection down the right sideline with QB Justin Herbert early in the first quarter, and the former's helmet bounced off the turf as he went to the ground. After Johnston left the field on a cart, he went to a nearby hospital to be evaluated further. With a concussion now confirmed for Johnston, he'll be subject to the protocol for head injuries in order to practice and play in a game. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Leaves field on cart
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:22 PM
Johnston (head) was carted off the field during Saturday's preseason game versus the Rams, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Johnston remained on the turf after landing hard on his helmet early in the first quarter and then was taken to the locker room, likely to undergo tests to determine the nature of his injury. Assuming a head injury is confirmed, he'd be subject to the concussion protocol in order to practice and eventually play again. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance Expected to suit up Saturday
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 2:18 PM
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday that he expects Lance (hand) to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: Lance hasn't taken team reps at practice this week while wearing a wrap on his right hand, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, but the injury isn't expected to sideline the 2021 first-round pick Saturday. Lance is competing with Taylor Heinicke for the backup spot behind Justin Herbert. Harbaugh indicated that all three quarterbacks will see the field Saturday. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert To play a series or two Saturday
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 2:09 PM
Herbert will start Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: With regard to to the Chargers' approach to the contest, coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Thursday, "We're going to play starters on Saturday." As for Herbert, who is in line to make his first-ever preseason appearance, Harbaugh said that the QB is expected to play "a series, could be two," along with the team's other offensive starters. Beyond that, Harbaugh expects both Trey Lance (hand) and Taylor Heinicke to log snaps this weekend. |
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