Week 2 of Chargers Organized Team Activity practices are underway.
The Chargers held their fourth voluntary OTA practice of the offseason Tuesday afternoon, donning helmets and shorts for 90-plus minutes. It was the second practice fully open to media members.
OTAs are part of Phase Three in the voluntary offseason program. Phase Three consists of a maximum of 10 OTA practices where teams can run 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Live contact is not allowed.
Here are three observations from the Chargers OTA practice on Tuesday:
1. Herbert shows off arm
Justin Herbert ranked fourth in air yards at 8.6 among quarterbacks with at least 500 snaps in 2024.
That's another way of saying Herbert wasn't afraid to push the ball down the field.
Which is exactly what we saw at Tuesday's practice.
Herbert let loose during a 7-on-7 drill when he found Jalen Reagor on a deep pass down the right sideline for 40-plus yards. Three players later, Brenden Rice was on the receiving end of another big pass play down the middle of the field.
Granted, since live contact is not allowed, nearby defenders appeared to ease off in coverage at the last second. But Herbert's willingness to push the envelope was certainly noticeable.
In terms of the protection in front of Herbert, the Chargers tried out a few different offensive line combinations on Tuesday.
The initial line in position drills consisted of, from left to right, Trey Pipkins III, Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson, Mekhi Becton and Joe Alt.
But with Pipkins not participating in team drills, Jamaree Salyer stepped in at left tackle for the majority of practice. The rest of the line stayed intact with Johnson at center and Bozeman at left guard.
Those are the two spots that appear up for grabs at this point of the offseason. Johnson has played both guard spots over three seasons but is making the transition to center. Bozeman, the Chargers starting center in 2024, started 32 games at left guard for Baltimore in 2019 and 2020.
The second-team offensive line, from left to right, was made up of Corey Stewart, Branson Taylor, Andre James, Karsen Barnhart and Tyler McLellan.
2. Chargers DBs active in secondary
Multiple Chargers defensive backs flashed on Tuesday.
The biggest highlight came when cornerback Donte Jackson nabbed an interception off Taylor Heinicke in a team drill. Heinicke's pass was deflected by safety Tony Jefferson before Jackson, a recent veteran free agent addition, came down with the pick.
Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste also stood out in coverage, as did cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor, who had a pass breakup on the play after Jackson's interception.
Jackson also later had a pass breakup and Tarheeb Still denied Dez Fitzpatrick to haul in a deep pass down the left sideline.
Take a look OTA #1 of the Chargers 2025 off-season program in monochrome.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Los Angeles Chargers players participate in Phase 3 of the offseason program on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
3. Bolts rookies make a splash
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh put his team through a variety of situations Tuesday, whether it was a hurry up session to begin practice or a simulated Hail Mary drill to end it.
A handful of rookies stood out along the way, including first-round pick Omarion Hampton, whose burst and athleticism was noticeable even in a non-padded practice.
The No. 22 overall pick had one play where he ran to the left and turned on the jets for what likely would have been an explosive run in a 9-on-7 drill.
Hampton also had a pair of receptions on the day, although a screen pass to him was perfectly read by defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia.
Tre' Harris, a 2025 second-round pick, looked comfortable, too. HIs best play came on a catch near the right sideline on a pass thrown by Herbert.
And undrafted rookie tight end Steve Klotz was active, too. His top play came when Heinicke hit him on a crossing route that turned into a 20-plus yard gain down the left sideline.
