Chargers hold most physical training-camp practice, featuring intense line battles

Los Angeles – The Chargers ran their most physically demanding practice of training camp on Thursday at their El Segundo facility, after a lighter walkthrough the previous day. The session featured the first full-pad one-on-one drills between offensive and defensive linemen, as well as a live series for third-team players.

Defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary said the increased contact was intentional, noting, "> You feel that physicality. There's an edge to our defense that we need to keep stoking."

The first-team offense and defense squared off in a “thud” tempo 11-on-11 series that allowed defenders to hit with full force. Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu participated in padded drills for the first time this camp and recorded a sack on a running play. Quarterback Justin Herbert handed off to running back Omarion Hampton, while rookie edge rusher Bud Dupree and linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips combined for a tackle.

Second-team quarterback Trey Lance led a drive that saw Dupree and veteran linebacker Kyle Kennard register a sack. The offense also produced several successful runs, highlighted by receiver Derius Davis’s jet-sweep that reached the third level of the defense.

In the one-on-one pass-rush segment, interior lineman Justin Eboigbe recorded multiple pressures, including a bull rush that forced rookie center Jacob Spomer backward. The third-team live series saw running backs Jaret Patterson and Amar Johnson gain short-yardage gains, and quarterback DJ Uiagalelei complete a play-action pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

Additional notes from the practice included the return of left tackle Rashawn Slater to limited padded drills after a brief medical check, and the first camp interception by rookie safety Genesis Smith. The offense fumbled four times in team drills, with three resulting from botched snaps.