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New York Times
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Chargers offense looks sloppy in final practice before Hall of Fame Game
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers held their final practice Tuesday before they head to Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame Game, and it was a very ugly day for the offense. The pass catchers combined for six drops in the unpadded practice. Tight end Tyler Conklin had two of those. Rookie receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith dropped a pass from quarterback Trey Lance on a dig route. The ball went through Lambert-Smith's hands and was intercepted by rookie cornerback Trikweze Bridges. Tight end Will Dissly had a third-down drop. Tight end Oronde Gadsden was unable to handle a low throw from quarterback Taylor Heinicke on an out route. On the final play of practice, rookie receiver Dalevon Campbell was open in the end zone on a go route on a third-and-long. He dropped the throw from Lance. Advertisement In the first period of 11-on-11, receiver Quentin Johnston was coming open on a post route. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw his way, but Johnston had slowed his route down. When Johnston located Herbert's throw in the air, he sped up again. But it was too late, and the pass fell incomplete. Earlier in practice, Johnston was open on a comeback route to the left side. Herbert's throw was high. Herbert and center Bradley Bozeman also fumbled a snap from under center. On his third snap of practice, Herbert was nearly picked off by linebacker Denzel Perryman. Later in 11-on-11, rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei dropped back off play action. He started his throwing motion before trying to pull the ball back. As he did, the ball slipped out of his hand. It could have been ruled a fumble. Just a sloppy day from start to finish. Most of the starters are going to have to wait until Saturday for their next chance on the field. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that 'veteran traditional starters aren't going to be playing' in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions. He mentioned several starters specifically: Herbert, Johnston, receiver Ladd McConkey, left tackle Rashawn Slater, right tackle Joe Alt, right guard Mekhi Becton, safety Derwin James Jr., edge rusher Khalil Mack, Perryman, linebacker Daiyan Henley, cornerback Tarheeb Still, cornerback Donte Jackson, cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, safety Alohi Gilman, defensive lineman Teair Tart and safety Elijah Molden. The Chargers will be back at practice at The Bolt on Saturday. Lance will start Thursday's game at quarterback, according to Harbaugh. Lance is expected to play the first half and one drive of the third quarter before being replaced by Uiagalelei. Heinicke will serve as the 'emergency quarterback for four quarters in case stuff happens,' Harbaugh said. Advertisement 'I just want to give Trey Lance game experience,' Harbaugh said. 'I look at his career, even college, not as much (game experience) as most guys. Then he got into the NFL, got nicked up a little bit and just hasn't been out there for the game experience enough. A talented player who's playing very well in practice. Now going out into the game, and that's the piece that says the most.' time to bring the juice 🫡 — Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 29, 2025 Rookies Omarion Hampton, Tre' Harris and Lambert-Smith are expected to play in the game, Harbaugh said. Zion Johnson will start at center and play 'a couple drives,' according to Harbaugh. 'Excited to see him in the game,' Harbaugh said of Johnson. 'Those are really valuable opportunities.' • Slater was back in team drills Tuesday after returning to individual drills on Monday. Slater, who signed a four-year contract extension with the Chargers on Sunday, had missed a week of practice from July 19 to 26. Slater said earlier this week that he sat out of practice because he was managing a blister on his right foot. The first-team offensive in in Tuesday's practice: LT Slater, LG Johnson, C Bozeman, RG Jamaree Salyer and RT Alt. Becton, the Chargers' starting right guard, did not practice Tuesday. Trey Pipkins III also got some work at right guard with the first team while also playing left tackle with the second team. Johnson also worked at center with the second team. • Molden was in team drills for the first time this camp. Molden, who had offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, played safety with the first team next to Gilman while James was at nickel. The Chargers traded for Molden last summer. He had a very productive season in 2024, and the Chargers re-signed him on a three-year deal this offseason. 'He's done a really good job of being very meticulous in getting his body back to where it needs to be,' defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. Advertisement The Chargers started training camp early because of the Hall of Fame Game, and that allowed them to bring Molden along slowly through the first 10 practices. 'We've been able to really work him to make sure when we cut him loose that he's prepared for that,' Minter said. • Other Chargers who did not practice: McConkey, cornerback Cam Hart, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, receiver Jalen Reagor, tight end McCallan Castles, receiver Luke Grimm and safety Jaylen Jones. Harbaugh said McConkey is dealing with a 'minor' injury. • Still participated in individual drills but not in team drills. Still has not practiced fully since Thursday. The Chargers have dealt with a bit of revolving door at cornerback so far in camp. St-Juste has not been in team drills since Day 5. Jackson missed Day 6 and left early on Day 9. Still has been out of team drills for four practices, and Hart missed his first practice today. As a result, the competition in this group still feels pretty unsettled. 'It's the nature, and it's why you need so many guys at that position,' Minter said. 'It's honestly a great opportunity for the other guys to get more reps. I don't know exactly where we're at in that room right now because we don't play a real game yet, and so there is time. It's just a matter of trying to get everybody through whatever they're working through and get them out there and let that competition continue to go through the rest of camp.' Ja'Sir Taylor and Jackson were at outside cornerback when James was nickel in Tuesday's practice. Taylor was in a tight coverage on two deep passes, one to receiver Derius Davis and one to receiver JaQuae Jackson. Both throws fell incomplete. Jackson, meanwhile, had two pass breakups, one on a comeback route to Campbell and one on an underneath route to Davis. • Harbaugh said there is still 'no timeline' on running back Najee Harris' return to practice. Harris, is on the non-football injury list after injuring his eye in a fireworks accident, has not practiced so far in camp. (Photo of Trey Lance: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Chargers' Trey Lance named starter for NFL's annual Hall of Fame game to open preseason
Training camps opened across the NFL last week. But later this week, the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers will meet in Canton, Ohio, to officially kick off the preseason. On Tuesday, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Trey Lance as the starter for Thursday's exhibition opener. Lance was the third overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, but the first few seasons of his professional football career have been turbulent. Harbaugh, who is entering his second season as the head coach in Los Angeles, also told reporters that Lance will take snaps into the third quarter of the game against the Lions. "I want to get Trey Lance game experience," Harbaugh said. Lance agreed to a one-year contract with the Chargers in the offseason after a two-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys. He was traded to the Cowboys in 2023, but was relegated to the third spot on the depth chart. He was considered a healthy scratch for each game that season. The 26-year-old appeared in four games with the Cowboys. He took the field as a starter for one of those games after Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush suffered respective injuries. Lance finished the 2024 season with 266 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He started his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. Former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is expected to relieve Lance in Thursday's game. Many NFL teams elect to hold their starters out of the first preseason game. Keeping in line with that approach, Chargers starting quarterback Justin Herbet will sit out on Thursday. The annual Hall of Fame coincides with the induction ceremonies for members of the latest class. It also gives the participating clubs an extra opportunity to evaluate their respective teams. Every other NFL team will play three preseason contests, while the Chargers and Lions will conclude the exhibition season with four games under their belts.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Will Chargers RB Omarion Hampton play in the Hall of Fame Game?
When the Chargers play the Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, don't expect to see any of the starters on the field. However, there will be some players expected to contribute this season who will see the field. On Tuesday, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that rookies Omarion Hampton, Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith will play. Harbaugh also added wide receiver Derius Davis to that list of guys who will play. Harbaugh said Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston are the only receivers who won't. Hampton, the No. 22 overall pick out of North Carolina, has been taking snaps with the first-team offense while Najee Harris has been sidelined with an eye injury. Harris, the second-rounder out of Ole Miss, and Lambert-Smith, the former Auburn product, will have the opportunity to carry their momentum into the game, as they have had great showings at camp up to this point. Additionally, Zion Johnson, who's competing with Bradley Bozeman for the starting center job, will start there on Thursday night and is expected to play "a couple of drives." Los Angeles and Detroit kick off at 5 pm PT, and the game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jim Harbaugh announces Chargers' starting quarterback in Hall of Fame Game
The Chargers play the Lions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night. On Tuesday, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Trey Lance will start the game at quarterback. Harbaugh added that Lance will play the first half and a drive of the third quarter. Undrafted rookie DJ Uiagalelei will then take over for the remainder of the game. Taylor Heinicke will serve as the emergency backup quarterback. Justin Herbert will not suit up for the game. Selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft by the 49ers, Lance spent two seasons in San Francisco. He started his rookie season as a backup to Jimmy Garoppolo. In 2022, he was projected to start before suffering a season-ending injury, leading to Brock Purdy taking the reins. In 2023, Lance was traded to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. In his first season in Dallas, he didn't see the field. This past season, he served as Dallas' third-string quarterback. In 12 games (five starts), Lance has completed 81 of 143 passes (56.6 completion percentage) with five touchdowns to four interceptions.
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Joey Bosa says he's hung out with new Bills teammates more than any other in career
For the first time in his professional career, five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa is playing for a new team. And that's not the only new first of his career. "I hung out more with teammates in Buffalo in the 6 weeks I was here than probably my entire career," the 10-year NFL veteran defensive end said to the press. Bosa joined the Bills on a one-year deal. One in which he's hoping to buck the trends of his past injury history and compete for a championship with a playoff contender. His comments on hanging out with his teammates read as consistent with what's known about the Bills roster, that they spend much of their time together off the field, forging a strong bond that translates to the locker room and onto the field in game play as well. The adjustment to his new team as well as to Western New York has been a good one for the 30-year-old and his family. "It's nice, it gets repetitive every year the same thing over and over again, I mean I loved my time with the Chargers and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I think it was just getting a little redundant, especially with my injuries the last few years, I needed a fresh start, and new scenery, so it's been a really pleasant surprise, getting to know Buffalo and Orchard Park, it's been beautiful," Bosa shared. "I have a yard, I have space to live and my dog can run around and we've got families of geese in the backyard that we've been following, my fiancée loves it, the fans are amazing unless you're at dinner and they're screaming mid dinner, I can't remember the song (probably shout) but it was quite the experience." Buffalo won't need him to play every snap, as they have defensive end depth to keep his workload manageable so as to maximise his opportunities to remain healthy and impact games. They are hoping he can form a dynamic threat across from edge rusher Greg Rousseau, and with A.J. Epenesa and Landon Jackson in their rotation. The group provides the Bills with tremendous defensive length against opponents (Jackson - 33 1/4" arms, Epenesa - 34 1/2" arms, Walker - 34 1/4" arms, Bosa - 33 3/8" arms). "I'm gonna try to be the player that I've always been," he noted. "Like I mentioned, stay healthy, I think I can be dominant still. I'm still only just 30. I'm not washed just yet. I'm getting there, but I got a little bit longer." The veteran pass rusher reached the playoffs three times in nine years with the Chargers, including two wild-card round exits. Buffalo, meanwhile, has made the playoffs in seven of the last eight years and is a Super Bowl contender. "Let's hope I don't mess that up now," Bosa added. "Hopefully, I can be a tool to help push it over that edge to get to the place that obviously everybody here has their eyes set on. It's fun coming to an organization that has been there and done it. They all have a really common goal, and we all know what that is. Every team has that same goal, but not every team has the same chance of actually achieving that goal. So yeah, it's exciting. I just want to do anything I can to help the team win, and hopefully we just continue the success." I mean, he's a dog. He's everything I've seen watching him, like when he was on the Chargers, you know? So, it's fun to be out there with a with a guy like that," Rousseau said about his new teammate after Monday's practice. "It's a blessing. Also, just a really cool dude. Off the field, we have conversations about random stuff every day. When asked what stands out about Bosa, he also noted his work ethic and attitude. 'He's consistent, you know what I'm saying? The way he just comes to work, has a good attitude," Rousseau added. "Obviously, his experience, you know, so I mean, we're really happy to have him." Bosa is embracing the fresh start and the high expectations that come with joining a championship contender in Buffalo, and is confident in what he has to offer. "I think I still have a lot left to give playing-wise, not just wisdom-wise," he said. "As long as I stay healthy like we're talked about, which I'm going to do everything in my power to do that and be as helpful as I can to this team, I think I can go out there and have a great year."
