3 Chargers Players to Watch Against Vikings in Week 8

Oct 23, 2025 at 08:00 AM

Omar Navarro

Jr. Writer

The Chargers are back at home for a primetime matchup against Minnesota.

The Bolts will face the Vikings from SoFi Stadium on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. (PT).

Here are three players to watch on Thursday:

1. TE Oronde Gadsden

The rookie tight end keeps one-upping himself.

After putting up a strong performance in Week 6, Gadsden went above and beyond in Week 7 by hauling in seven catches for 164 yards and his first NFL touchdown.

And in the process, he made some history as well.

He became the first Chargers tight end in franchise history with 100 receiving yards since 2019 and had the fourth-most yards ever by a rookie tight end in a game in NFL history.

His total was the most by a Chargers tight end since Antonio Gates in 2009, as Gadsden also became the third rookie tight end in the Super Bowl era with at least 150 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in a game.

It was a complete breakout game in all areas,

"He got a lot of opportunities and man, he played a great game," Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman said. "We've been seeing it, it's been coming.

"I thought that was definitely a breakout game for him," Roman added. "I think we all saw that."

Gadsden has quickly turned himself into one of Justin Herbert’s most reliable targets with at least seven targets in three of his five career games.

He's doing it all over the field as well, and he posted the second-best yards per route run among all tight ends in Week 7 with 3.42 as well as led the position with an average depth of target of 11.4 among those with at least five targets.

Gadsden has now racked up 308 receiving yards, a total that ranks fourth among all rookies, in just five games and now ranks ninth in his position overall.

He's burst onto the scene quickly, which means great things for the passing game.

"Whenever he's been looking for me, I've been a reliable target for him," Gadsden said after the game. "I just want to be able to be a guy he could trust and when throws the ball, I'll be able to catch it.

"That's really it. Yards after catch, I want to be able to catch the ball whenever he throws it to me," Gadsden added.

2. CB Donte Jackson

Jackson has been active in the secondary during his first year with the Chargers.

The veteran cornerback has started all seven games for the Bolts and racked up four passes defensed and an interception so far.

He's allowing a 68.4 quarterback rating when targeted, which is second-best among corners on the team, and spent most of his time as an outside cornerback.

Jackson, and the rest of the Bolts secondary, will be key figures against the Vikings and their receiving core that includes All-Pro Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, who are coming off a game where they combined to tally 14 receptions for 207 yards.

Jefferson continues to rank among the best in the league and has 528 receiving yards on the season, good for sixth-most in the NFL.

He's also been averaging just over 109 yards per game over the last three games.

With Jefferson and Addison continuing to make plays, they have the defense's full attention.

"Great challenge," Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said. "Justin Jefferson is obviously, if not the best, then one of the top guys in the league. Super productive. Playmaker."

Minter later added: "Addison could probably be a No. 1 on some teams. Those guys make plays for their quarterback."

Both Jefferson and Addison have lined up in the slot at times, but have primarily been on the outside so far this season.

It will be up to Jackson and the rest of the secondary to try and limit the opportunities for the duo of top receivers.