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Keaton Mitchell Keaton Mitchell Remains out of practice Thursday
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 1:56 PM
Mitchell (undisclosed) remained a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With Mitchell now having missed six straight practices, his status for Week 1 against the Cardinals is starting to come into question. If he's unable to go against Arizona, Kimani Vidal would settle in as the likely RB2 behind Omarion Hampton. Mitchell will need to get back on the field in some capacity next week if he's going to have a chance to suit up for the regular-season opener. |
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Sent to IR
Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 6:48 PM
The Chargers placed Perryman (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Analysis: It's not yet clear what type of issue Perryman is dealing with, but he'll need to sit out at least the first four games of the regular season. The veteran linebacker started all 10 of the regular-season games in which he appeared and Los Angeles' sole postseason contest last year, and he has been slated for a big role again during the upcoming campaign. During Perryman's absence, Troy Dye is likely to step into a bigger role at linebacker. |
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Moves to IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:56 PM
Kennard (undisclosed) reverted to the Chargers' injured reserve Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: Kennard was waived/injured Sunday and cleared waivers. As a result, he's reverted to IR. Kennard will consequently have to miss the entire 2026 season unless he works out an injury settlement with the Chargers. |
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Sincere Brown Sincere Brown Reverts to LA injured reserve
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:34 PM
Brown (undisclosed) reverted to the Chargers' injured reserve list Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: Brown was waived/injured by the Chargers on Sunday. The wide receiver cleared waivers and will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. |
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Dalevon Campbell Dalevon Campbell Reverts to IR for LA
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:29 PM
Campbell (leg) reverted to the Chargers' injured reserve list Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: Campbell exited last Thursday's practice with a significant leg injury. The wide receiver was placed on waivers Sunday and went unclaimed. Campbell will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. |
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Moved to reserve/non-football injury list
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 6:24 PM
The Chargers placed World (knee) on the reserve/non-football injury list Sunday.
Analysis: The undrafted free agent out of Oregon tore the ACL in his left knee on Jan. 9. The offensive tackle will now need to miss at least the first four games of the regular season on the reserve/NFI list before he is eligible to return to the active roster. |
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Keaton Mitchell Keaton Mitchell Working off to side Monday
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 4:38 PM
Mitchell (undisclosed) is not practicing Monday but is working off to the side with a trainer, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Mitchell is missing his fourth straight practice due to an unspecified injury, but it sounds like he's getting closer to a return to the field after getting in some work on a side field. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz added that he anticipates Mitchell playing Week 1 against the Cardinals. The Chargers are expected to utilize all three of Omarion Hampton, Mitchell and Kimani Vidal out of the backfield this season, though Hampton is the clear lead back and possesses the most upside from a fantasy perspective. Mitchell, when healthy, will likely handle a handful of weekly touches to showcase his speed and playmaking while giving Hampton a breather. Mitchell is looking like a fantasy bench stash to open the 2026 season. |
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Scott Matlock Scott Matlock Placed on IR, designated to return
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 12:56 PM
Matlock (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve by the Chargers on Sunday with a designation to return.
Analysis: Matlock caught both of his targets for five yards during the preseason, but he appears to have suffered an undisclosed injury at some point along the way. The fullback will now be sidelined for at least four contests to open the 2026 campaign, and the earliest he could make his regular-season debut is in Week 5 against the Broncos on Oct. 11. |
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Sticking around Los Angeles
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 8:46 PM
Jefferson will be a member of the Chargers' initial 53-man roster, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Jefferson will ultimately stick around with the Chargers after it was reported that he was released earlier in the day. The team opened up a pair of roster spots by making some trades Sunday, so the safety won't have to pack his bags anymore. Jefferson played in 13 regular-season contests with Los Angeles last season, compiling 57 total tackles (37 solo) and seven passes defensed, including a career-high four interceptions. |
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Placed on IR, designated to return
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:49 PM
The Chargers placed Taylor (undisclosed) on injured reserve Sunday with a designation to return, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Taylor will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the season before he's eligible to return due to an undisclosed injury. The rookie sixth-round pick should serve as a depth tackle once healthy. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance Set to serve as No. 2 QB
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:06 PM
Lance has won the Chargers' backup quarterback job, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.
Analysis: Lance will serve as the team's top reserve option behind starter Justin Herbert for the second straight season. The quarterback completed 22 of 38 passes for 237 yards while also adding nine carries for 91 yards over the team's three preseason contests. Lance will ultimately get the nod over DJ Uiagalelei for the No. 2 role this season, and it's possible that new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could find creative ways to get the dual-threat QB more involved in the game plan in 2026. |
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Hauls in one pass during exhibition finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:50 PM
Lambert-Smith caught his only target for 21 yards in Thursday's preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith worked behind the starters and ended up logging 16 offensive snaps. Over the course of the exhibition slate, Lambert-Smith led the Chargers in receptions (seven), targets (11) and receiving yards (93). That could help him in his battle for positioning in the Chargers' WR pecking order, though Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris (undisclosed) are all comfortably ahead of him on the depth chart. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Idle for preseason finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:40 PM
Harris (undisclosed) did not play in the Chargers' 20-18 preseason loss to the Rams on Thursday.
Analysis: Harris will end up not playing a single preseason game, missing the last two while working through an undisclosed injury. Despite the lack of on-field playing time, there's no indication that the 2025 second-rounder is in jeopardy of missing the Chargers' regular-season opener against the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13. Following the departure of Keenan Allen, Harris figures to serve as the Chargers' WR3 this season behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Tallies six snaps in preseason finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:38 PM
Vidal totaled six offensive snaps in Thursday's exhibition loss to the Rams, recording nine yards on three carries.
Analysis: Top RB Omarion Hampton started for the Chargers and played two series. Vidal followed and rushed for five yards on his first carry before taking a 1-yard loss on the next play. He was on the field for a few more snaps during the Chargers' next series before calling it a day. Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) didn't play in the contest, and it's unclear what precise issue he's dealing with it or how long he'll be sidelined. There's been no indication to this point that Mitchell is in danger of missing Week 1 of the regular season, but if that were to change, Vidal would be slated for an increased role behind Hampton. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Plays three snaps vs. Rams
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:36 PM
McConkey played three snaps on offense and didn't show up in the box score otherwise during the Chargers' 20-18 preseason loss to the Rams on Thursday.
Analysis: McConkey was on the field for each of the Chargers' first two series before observing the rest of Thursday's exhibition contest from the sidelines. The 2024 second-rounder is the top wide receiver on the Chargers' depth chart following the departure of veteran Keenan Allen, and McConkey should be one of Justin Herbert's go-to targets in the passing game. McConkey caught 66 passes (on 106 targets) for 789 yards and six touchdowns across 16 regular-season games last year. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Wraps up exhibition slate with limited work
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:28 PM
Njoku logged three offensive snaps in Thursday's preseason loss to the Rams and didn't register any statistical output.
Analysis: Njoku worked behind starter Charlie Kolar and ahead of Oronde Gadsden in the contest. During the exhibition slate, Kolar and starting QB Justin Herbert were on the field together for six snaps, while Njoku logged five snaps with Herbert and Gadsden registered just one. That could be an indication of the pecking order during the regular season as well, as Kolar is considered the superior blocker of the trio and Gadsden the top pass catcher, with Njoku being competent in both areas. |
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Keaton Mitchell Keaton Mitchell Doesn't play Thursday
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:22 PM
Mitchell (undisclosed) did not play in Thursday's 20-18 preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Mitchell experienced a setback for an unspecified injury in practice earlier in the week, so his absence from Thursday's preseason finale was likely a precautionary move. The nature and severity of Mitchell's injury is not clear, but there's been no indication that he's in danger of missing the Chargers' Week 1 clash against the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 13. The fourth-year pro inked a two-year contract with the Chargers in March after spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Ravens. He's expected to work in rotation with Kimani Vidal behind starting running back Omarion Hampton. |
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Oronde Gadsden Oronde Gadsden Logs limited work in preseason finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:18 PM
Gadsden participated in eight offensive snaps and did not record any statistics otherwise in Thursday's preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: For the second straight week, Gadsden worked in a reserve role behind Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. While snap counts during preseason play aren't generally reflective of what will happen during the regular season, it could be telling that Gadsden saw only one offensive snap with Justin Herbert on the field during the exhibition slate while fellow tight ends Charlie Kolar and David Njoku logged six and five snaps, respectively, in that scenario. Despite Gadsden's promising rookie campaign last year, he could be looking at a reduced role behind Kolar and Njoku -- both of whom are regarded as better blockers -- in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's system. |
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Charlie Kolar Charlie Kolar Logs one catch Thursday
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:15 PM
Kolar caught his lone target for nine yards during the Chargers' 20-18 preseason loss to the Rams on Thursday.
Analysis: Kolar worked as the Chargers' starting tight end Thursday, hauling in a nine-yard pass from Justin Herbert while playing five snaps (four on offense, one on special teams). Kolar, Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku are the top tight ends on the Chargers depth chart, but it's been Kolar who has been working more with the first-team offense during training camp. Still, Kolar's offensive output figures to be minimal this year, given that his 10 catches across 17 regular-season games with the Ravens last year was a career high for the 2022 fourth-rounder. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Four snaps in preseason finale
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 6:06 PM
Hampton played four snaps on offense and didn't show up in the box score otherwise during the Chargers' 20-18 preseason loss to the Rams on Thursday.
Analysis: Hampton was on the field for the Chargers' first two offensive drives but did get a touch in Thursday's preseason finale. The 2025 first-rounder was limited to nine regular-season games in his rookie campaign due mostly to a fractured left ankle but still finished with 124 carries for 545 yards and four touchdowns while adding 32 catches (on 35 targets) for 192 yards and a score. Hampton is the lead back for the Chargers, but Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) both figure to see a fair amount of work in the scheme of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. |
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