The first major NFL opportunity could be on the horizon for Nikko Reed.
With cornerback Tarheeb Still unlikely to play this week, according to Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, that moves the undrafted free agent into the mix in the secondary in Week 9 against the Titans.
"I think Nikko Reed will get a real first opportunity, which I'm really excited about," Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said on Wednesday.
While it wouldn't be his official debut — he played one defensive and five special teams snaps in Week 3 against the Broncos — it would mark Reed's first extended run on defense.
And he feels like he's up for the moment in front of him this week.
"I feel great. I'm ready," Reed said on Wednesday. "I've been waiting for this moment, can't wait to execute."
Reed made a lot of noise in the lead up to the season to make the Chargers roster as an undrafted free agent.
The rookie out of Oregon started off hot during the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, notching an interception right out of the gate in the first quarter of the opening exhibition game.
He finished the preseason with four passes defensed in three games and also made a number of splash plays during training camp practices that led to him making the team.
But the undrafted rookie has been inactive in all the other games for the Bolts so far this season and has not had game action early.
Still, Reed said he's used a lot of this time to work on the things he can do, whether it's on or off the practice field.
"Been getting my body right, taking care of my body every day and getting mental reps, in the meetings taking a lot of notes as if I'm playing," Reed said. "It's no different now that I'm actually playing.
"I've been on scout team and working on my technique on there," Reed added. "I've been ready, I've been working so it's all going to come together."
That also includes taking note of others as well.
The rookie, who says he watches how everybody does things, has been picking up on things along the way from his teammates that he could use and implement for his development.
"I'm really just watching everybody," Reed said. "I'm an observer, so I'm watching everybody. Everybody is different, I watch them get ready for the game, how they take their notes, how are they in the meetings, how are they in walkthroughs.
"I take all that in," Reed added. "I'm just observing everything and seeing how everything goes."
Not to mention being locked in on the action on game days and everything around it to get a feel of how everything goes in the NFL.
"I've been watching the games of course and hearing the calls, so also getting the feel of how the game is going to be played if I was out there," Reed said. "The flow of the game, how it is out there, it's different."
Check out the best photos from practice on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo!
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Reed has been staying ready for his opportunity, and the Chargers defense knows what he can bring.
Minter said Wednesday that he's excited to see how he can carry over his successes and ability against the Titans.
"A lot of times, a fresh guy in there that hasn't played a lot can bring a spark, can bring some juice," Minter said. "We know the type of player Nikko is, we have a ton of confidence in him based on what he's done.
"The players are excited to see him play based on what he did in the preseason and training camp and in practices," Minter added. "Super excited about that position and what we can get out of it."
While it remains to be seen how it shakes out in Nashville, Reed is looking forward to his opportunity he's been waiting for since coming into the league.
"I approach it the same every week, it's just a different vibe because I'm going to be out there," Reed said. "I'm just ready. It's kind of different, but not too much."
He later added: "It's been a minute since I played. Last time I played, I had lots of fun so I'm ready to pick back up on that."
