Category: Chargers training camp

Chargers training camp: QB Justin Herbert puts together best practice

Justin Herbert was on fire on Wednesday.

Back like he never left.

Justin Herbert logged his third straight practice on Wednesday since returning from a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. And this was arguably his best session of the entire summer.

According to team reporter Eric Smith, Herbert completed 25 of 29 passes. He threw touchdown passes on four straight plays, three of which came in the red zone.

“It’s fantastic. Not a better thing for us defensively than having Justin on our team both now to practice and in games,” Minter said about Herbert. “I think he’s the elite of the elite, so it makes everybody better, it makes our offense function at a higher level, it makes our defense have to function at a higher level.

“I think it’s like iron sharpens iron so when the best guys are out there and you get to go against them, it makes everybody around him better,” Minter added.

Herbert’s top target was Quentin Johnston. Johnston, who has shown improvement from his rookie season, caught a couple of touchdowns, including a leaping one-handed grab with Kristian Fulton in coverage.

Rookie Ladd McConkey was another wideout who had a great practice. McConkey had two catches that went for over 20 yards.

“You all have probably seen the throws he makes,” McConkey praised on Herbert. “One of the best quarterbacks in the league. Super glad to have him back out there.”

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 8

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 8 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Thursday, marking the eighth day of practice.

I will have training camp coverage with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fan posts.

Chargers training camp: Safety AJ Finley making case for roster spot

AJ Finley has been playing exceptionally well with the first-team defense.

The Chargers have an open competition for the third safety spot, and second-year AJ Finley has been making a strong case to seize it.

Finley has mixed in with the first-team defense in certain packages when Derwin James moves around to different positions.

He also played with the starters on Monday and Tuesday while Alohi Gilman was absent to be present for the arrival of his new baby.

But not only has he mixed in with the 1s, Finley has made the most of his opportunities, most recently nabbing an interception and pass defended on Wednesday.

 

“AJ is guy that guys have confidence in,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “He’s a guy who has made some plays in practice, communicates really well. He has a comfort out there.”

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss, Finley primarily served as a special teamer in his rookie season. He forced a fumble against the Bills.

Over the course of his collegiate career, Finley recorded 245 total tackles, 13 passed defended, eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Chargers WR Brenden Rice making presence felt at training camp

The son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is looking to secure a roster spot.

There is competition for the back end of the Chargers’ wide receiver room, and one player who is making a strong push for a spot is rookie Brenden Rice.

Rice, the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, has made several big catches throughout training camp, with his latest coming on Wednesday. Easton Stick delivered a nice pass and Rice reeled it in with an over-the-shoulder grab.

If Rice continues to make plays like this the rest of the summer, he might not only make the roster but could also be a nice complementary piece in Year 1.

Rice is a big receiver with strong hands and a good sense of route running. He is also willing to block in space.

Rice tallied 84 career catches for 1,402 yards and 16 touchdowns while at USC. He began his college career at Colorado.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 7

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 7 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Wednesday, marking the seventh day of practice.

I will have training camp coverage with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fan posts.

 

Chargers WR DJ Chark impressing in training camp

DJ Chark has been showing off his ability to make plays deep down the field.

The Chargers need wide receivers to step up after the losses of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and DJ Chark has been showing flashes of someone who could be counted on.

In the early stages of training camp, DJ Chark has made several eyebrow-raising plays, including a few catches deep down the field.

This is exactly why Los Angeles signed Chark in May. He possesses elite speed to serve as a vertical threat, something the Bolts haven’t had at the position in years.

“He’s doing a great job at everything,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “Great attitude, great team guy, smart, and he’s been a Pro Bowl player. I sense a hunger in him, too.”

Chark earned Pro Bowl status in his second season in the league, which came in 2019 with the Jaguars. That year, he caught a career-high 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns.

Flashes like this from Chark are very encouraging, and the hope is that he can keep stacking up these types of practices into the regular season to provide the offense with an explosive playmaker.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 6

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 6 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Tuesday, marking the sixth day of practice.

I will have training camp coverage with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fan posts.

How Chargers OT Joe Alt fared on first day of padded practice

All eyes were on first-round pick Joe Alt, who got his first taste of NFL-level competition.

When the pads come on at training camp, most of the attention shifts to the trenches, where you can evaluate the offensive and defensive line accurately.

In this case for the Chargers, all eyes were on first-round pick Joe Alt, who got his first taste of NFL-level competition.

In one-on-ones, Alt faced edge defender Joey Bosa. Alt held his own, showing his polished pass-protection skills.

“He acquitted himself well,” Harbaugh said of Alt.

In team drills, Alt played both right and left tackle, which they had him do because of Rashawn Slater’s slight injury he’s working through.

Despite getting beat by Bosa on one rep, where the veteran threw out a double swipe move to catch the rookie off guard and get home to the quarterback, Alt had a good day.

Alt exemplified quick hands, light feet and a strong anchor to keep pass rushers at bay.

Over the next few weeks, Alt’s only going to get better going up against some of the best edge rushers in the league. As they say, iron sharpens iron.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 5

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 5 of Chargers training camp, the first practice in pads.

The Chargers continued training camp on Monday after having Sunday off, marking the fifth day and the first day in pads.

I will have training camp coverage with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fan posts.

https://twitter.com/ImJustTheFellow/status/1817980878884426021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights: Top moments from first week of Chargers training camp

There was plenty of action during the first week of Chargers training camp, including a few highlight grabs.

Four days have passed, and the Chargers are in the thick of their training camp at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

There was plenty of action, including a few players who stood out.

Before we move on to the second week of camp, which also marks the first time pads being worn, here are all of the top moments from Week 1, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter.