Chargers (preseason) football is almost here.
The Bolts will open preseason play Thursday night in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game against the Lions.
Trey Lance will start at quarterback and be mostly joined by rookies and young players looking to make an impression on Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff.
"I want guys to have fun playing in the preseason," Harbaugh said. "Have at it."
With that in mind, here are five players to watch in the Chargers preseason opener:
1. TE Oronde Gadsden
Gadsden has created a buzz ever since he flashed on nearly a daily basis in the spring.
The recent fifth-round pick has continued that upward trajectory this summer, especially in the passing game, where he has shown a strong rapport with Justin Herbert.
Gadsden, a former wide receiver at Syracuse, has also had solid moments as a blocker, something that was unproven as he entered training camp.
His next test is to keep progressing in game action against a different opponent.
2. RB Omarion Hampton
All eyes are usually on a team's first-round pick in preseason play, but Hampton falls into a category for multiple reasons.
While Hampton has looked good running the ball in padded practices, his defensive teammates obviously haven't tackled him to the ground.
Plus, with running back Najee Harris on the Non-Football Injury List with an eye injury from a fireworks mishap, Hampton has been running with the first-team offense in camp.
It's a good bet that Hampton will play a key role in the Bolts offense in 2025. But it's not also out of the question that he could earn himself a potential starting role with an impressive preseason.
That journey starts Thursday night in Canton, Ohio.
3. CB Nikko Reed
We'll forgive you if you need to double check the roster to find out who Reed is.
But if you've been locked into training camp coverage, the undrafted rookie cornerback has been among the biggest bright spots of any player on the team.
Reed, who played at Colorado and Oregon, has lined up at outside cornerback and in the slot, and has thrived at both.
He's tallied nearly a pass breakup a day and has two interceptions, including a pick 6, thus far in camp.
Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter and his staff will be keeping a close eye on Reed against the Lions.
4. DT Jamaree Caldwell
Similar to Hampton, it's tough to truly gauge the trenches when Harbaugh doesn't allow live tackling in practice.
But Thursday night should be a good litmus test for Caldwell, the Chargers recent third-round pick at defensive tackle.
The Bolts defensive line group has been a strength so far in camp, with Teair Tart, Otito Ogbonnia and Justin Eboigbe among the early standouts.
Caldwell can put himself into the rotation with a strong start to exhibition play.
Check out the best photos from the eleventh day of Training Camp 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo!
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice at Training Camp on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
5. QB Trey Lance
Lance and Taylor Heinicke are engaged in a battle for the backup job behind Herbert, with both quarterbacks splitting reps so far in camp.
But if you look at their NFL careers, Heinicke — who will serve as the emergency quarterback Thursday — has appeared in 42 career games with 29 starts.
Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has only appeared in 12 total games with five starts in four years. And he's only thrown 143 NFL passes, completing 81 of them for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns.
"I just want to give Trey Lance game experience," Harbaugh said Tuesday about Lance.
He later added: "Talented player who has been playing very well in practice."
Heinicke served as Herbert's backup a year ago after being acquired in an August trade with the Falcons.
Lance has a chance to prove something to the Chargers after getting the starting nod in the preseason opener.
