The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Los Angeles Chargers camp is taking place at The Bolt in El Segundo, California, and Chargers reporter Kris Rhim has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Chargers camp. We will update this file often. Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive in to all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
Camp updates for all 32 NFL teams
Latest from Chargers camp
Sunday, Aug. 8
Rookie left guard Jake Slaughter got his first reps with the group blocking for Justin Herbert in a padded practice this training camp. The Chargers drafted Slaughter -- who played only center in college -- to be the team's starter at left guard, but he seemed to fall out of favor through camp as veteran Kayode Awosika and second-year lineman Branson Taylor emerged.
Slaughter fared well in his reps at guard, showing a firm anchor when pressured from defensive tackles and the ability to pick up defensive stunts. His best moment came on a pancake block of defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, but he was also beaten badly on a rep by defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe.
Other observations:
Offensve lineman Trevor Penning appears to be falling back in the competition for the starting left guard job. He continues to work largely with the group, blocking for DJ Uiagalelei, though that could still change.
Rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson made an impressive toe-tap catch down the left sideline that drew a roar from the crowd.
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was explosive throughout practice and had several would-be sacks. Tuli Tuipulotu and Nadame Tucker were also consistently disruptive off the edge.
Defensive tackles Jamaree Caldwell, Teair Tart and Eboigbe continued to disrupt the run game and generate pressure on the quarterback.
Uiagalelei, may have had the throw of the day, a 50 or so yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Derius Davis.
Herbert continues to be sharp and on target with his receivers. It appears he -- and the other quarterbacks -- has grown comfortable with the timing of McDaniel's offense. Receivers are getting passes early and in space.
Thursday, Aug. 6
The Chargers' five-man race for guard continued Thursday with a new twist, as second-year lineman Branson Taylor took all the reps with quarterback Justin Herbert's group at left guard. Before Thursday, two players had rotated at left guard, but Taylor got all of the reps with the first group in the team's first true padded practice.
Taylor, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft who didn't make the 2025 53-man roster, was mainly a practice squad player last season. One year later, it seems that he has impressed the staff enough to have a legitimate shot at starting. On Thursday, Taylor fared well, creating running lanes and protecting Herbert throughout, a much-improved version of the player at camp last year.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said on Wednesday that veteran Kayode Awosika was leading the race to start, and that Taylor, Pipkins, Trevor Penning and rookie Jake Slaughter were in the mix.
Other observations:
OLB Tuli Tuipulotu participated in team drills during Wednesday's padded practice, his second day in a row after not participating in team drills for the first six days of training camp. Harbaugh originally said that Tuipulotu's absence was being "handled internally," then later said it was a "ramp up." Neither Tuipulotu, his representatives, or the Chargers have acknowledged a contract-related absence, but his return to the field signals that whatever matter was being handled internally is resolved.
Rookie S Genesis Smith intercepted Justin Herbert after a pass went through Charlie Kolar's hands.
CB Donte Jackson had an impressive diving pass breakup on a pass by QB Trey Lance during 7-on-7 that led to an interception by safety Elijah Molden.
DT Justin Eboigbe continued his strong camp, consistently generating interior pressure
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, who has been a limited participant in practice this training camp amid ongoing contract negotiations, was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. The caveat is that the practice was a walkthrough, so Tuipulotu and the other Chargers players were going at half speed. He still has yet to participate in a non-walkthrough practice 11-on-11 period, but his participation on Wednesday could be a sign that things could be headed toward a resolution.
Other observations:
After an injury scare Tuesday scare to the same left leg in which he sustained a season-ending patellar tendon rupture last year, left tackle Rashawn Slater was a full participant in practice Wednesday without any limitations.
Branson Taylor and Trevor Penning rotated at left guard, continuing the five man race for this starting job. Rookie Jake Slaughter continues to play center with the second group.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
The Chargers had their first major injury scare Tuesday as left tackle Rashawn Slater appeared to sustain an injury to his left leg at practice. Slater went to the medical tent with a trainer and then did some on-field testing but didn't return to practice. Branson Taylor and Trey Pipkins III rotated at tackle in his absence.
Slater ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee during last year's training camp, which forced him to miss the entire season. He appeared in good spirits after practice, walking around and taking pictures with his family.
Quarterback Justin Herbert said that Slater told him he was healthy enough to return to the field.
"He said he wanted to be out there, so I think that's okay," Herbert said.
Other observations:
OLB Tuli Tuipulotu participated in one 7-on-7 rep but did not take part in the remainder of team drills, marking his sixth straight practice with limited participation as his contract situation remains unresolved.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said that Kayode Awosika is leading the competition to start at left guard, but added that Pipkins, Jake Slaughter and Taylor are all in the mix. Harbaugh said that he'd like to name a starter after the next ten practices.
The offense came out sharp, with Herbert completing his first eight passes before safety RJ Mickens broke up a pass. From there, the offense and defense traded wins throughout the rest of practice.
S Kendall Williamson intercepted Herbert on a pass that was intended for wide receiver Ladd McConkey. "That was nice. He snagged it," Derwin James Jr. said.
OLB Nadame Tucker had one of his best practices of camp, consistently generating pressure and recording three would-be sacks.
DT Teair Tart was disruptive throughout, including what likely would have been at least one sack. The Chargers' interior defensive line generated pressure throughout the day.
Monday, Aug. 3
Monday's practice was one of the better days for the defense, as they were constantly disruptive throughout. Undrafted cornerbacks Rodney Shelley and Avery Smith were among the stars. Smith continued his strong start to camp with another good day, as he intercepted quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and had an impressive pass breakup on a Justin Herbert pass. Shelley was sticky in coverage throughout and had a few pass breakups, celebrating after each.
The rookies will have their first NFL training camp practice in pads on Tuesday at the University of San Diego, a chance to affirm the way they've been playing.
Other observations:
Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu continued to not participate in team drills, continuing his limited participation as his contract situation remains unresolved.
Rookie Jake Slaughter and Kayode Awosika split reps at left guard as the competition for that spot continues.
Second-year wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who has been quiet so far, made one of the top highlights of the day with impressive downfield catch while cornerback Deane Leonard was draped in coverage.
Quentin Johnston also produced another offensive highlight, tracking a perfectly placed deep ball from Herbert over the outstretched arms of safety Derwin James Jr. along one sideline.
Saturday, Aug. 1
Coach Jim Harbaugh declined to say whether outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu's absence from team drills at practice is contract-related, saying only the situation is being "handled internally" and repeatedly describing Tuipulotu as "ramping up."
Tuipulotu hasn't taken part in team drills amid contract negotiations since camp began this week, as he is heading into the final year of his rookie contract. He finished sixth in the NFL in sacks last season.
Without Tuipulotu again Saturday, rookie Akheem Mesidor flashed, looking explosive coming off of the edge throughout practice.
More observations from the day:
Saturday marked perhaps the highest-energy practice as the Chargers offense had its best day this week. Wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Derius Davis caught deep passes that energized the crowd at the Chargers facility.
Cornerback Donte Jackson was active in coverage with a couple of pass breakups, causing fans to cheer in reaction.
Friday, July 31
Friday's practice was at half-speed, walkthrough pace, but the most significant development came at left guard. Trey Pipkins III began with the first group blocking for quarterback Justin Herbert, the first time he's done so this week. Throughout camp and the offseason program, Kayode Awosika, Trevor Penning and rookie Jake Slaughter have rotated at left guard, with Awosika getting most of the reps with Herbert.
Coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this offseason that the race for a starter at left guard would be between these four players. This is the first time that Pipkins has gotten reps with the top group.
Still, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel cautioned against looking too much into the rep distribution, noting that the real evaluation will come with padded practices next week.
Here's Rashawn Slater after practice with his family, he was briefly was in the medical tent at practice today
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) August 4, 2026
Trey Pipkins and Branson Taylor rotated in at LT pic.twitter.com/3yBfQsT6Ly
"It's much different when you have 300 pounds of mass on your edge," McDaniel said, "and a subtle 6-inch step determines whether or not you can actually execute that block."
Other observations:
Tuli Tuipulotu continued not to practice amid ongoing contract negotiations. He went through individual drills, worked off to the side with a trainer and watched practice.
Wide receivers Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey said that McDaniel has changed the way they run routes, particularly by emphasizing how quickly they finish the top of a route and locate the football. "We weren't all the way used to running routes like that," Johnston said.
Thursday, July 30
Tuli Tuipulotu didn't practice for the second straight day amid ongoing contract negotiations, but he did more on the field work with teammates than on the opening day of camp. On Thursday, Tuipulotu wore a helmet and jersey and went through individual drills with the team before working off to the side with a trainer. On Wednesday, he was in a T-shirt and shorts and worked off to the side with a trainer.
"We miss him out there," defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary said. "We miss how vocal he is and the plays that he makes."
More observations:
It's difficult for lineman to truly have an impact without pads, but defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe made plays Thursday that drew praises from defensive line coach Mike Elston throughout the day. The Chargers are hopeful Eboigbe takes a step as a pass rusher in his third season.
Wide receivers Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Brenen Thompson were active in the passing offense and were quarterback Justin Herbert's favorite targets on Day 2.
Wednesday, July 29
Chargers outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu was the only player not to practice on Day 1 of training camp. The team has not officially disclosed the reason for his absence, but with extension talks ongoing, it appears to be contract related.
Safety Derwin James Jr., who held out of practice before signing his own extension in 2022, suggested Tuipulotu is in a similar situation.
"It's just the process of it, man," he said. "The team loves him. We love Tuli. I knew the team loved me too when I had the same similar situation, but sometimes that stuff takes longer to iron out."
Tuipulotu has established himself as one of the league's top young pass rushers over his first three seasons. His 13 sacks last season ranked sixth in the NFL, and he's in line for a significant extension. His representatives and the Chargers have discussed a new deal throughout the offseason, but no agreement has been reached. He is scheduled to earn $5.767 million this season.
More observations:
Quarterback Justin Herbert looked comfortable in his new shotgun stance implemented by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, he was on target and had good timing with receivers throughout the day. Herbert seemed particularly impressed with rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson, who he connected with on a crossing route. "He's gonna be very good. We saw it early on that he was gonna be," Herbert said. "He's skilled. He's fast. He's gonna make a lot of plays for us."