Chargers deliver toughest padded practice, emphasizing line battles
The Los Angeles Chargers held their toughest training-camp practice on July 28, 2026, featuring full-pad 11-on-11 drills, live third-team series and one-on-one pass-rush matchups, the New York Times reported. Earlier in the camp the team began padded drills at the University of San Diego, focusing on line battles, the run game and a competition at left guard that included rookie edge rusher Akheem Mesidor and returning tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, according to the same outlet.
The opening padded session also saw quarterback Justin Herbert lead productive seven-on-seven drills while the defense generated multiple sacks, highlighted by undrafted rookie edge rusher Nadame Tucker, and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel praised Herbert’s adaptation to a reduced-throw, footwork-focused system, saying the plan was to increase quick throws and ease the quarterback’s workload. Herbert had earlier displayed three consecutive on-time completions, indicating progress in the timing-focused offense introduced by McDaniel.
