Chargers Training Camp has returned to El Segundo as the Bolts practiced in full pads for just under two hours Thursday.

The Chargers will practice at 5 p.m. each of the next two days before an off day Sunday.

Here is the Chargers Camp Report from Thursday's practice:

1. Bolts defense steps up

The Chargers defense was missing some big-name players Thursday as Khalil Mack and Derwin James, Jr. took veteran rest days while working in the weight room.

But that didn't stop the defense from winning the day as the unit seemingly made one play after another in team drills.

The Chargers held a run-focused, 9-on-7 drill early in practice where the defense swarmed on almost every play.

Teair Tart opened the drill with a tackle for loss as Daiyan Henley followed with the same result on the next play.

"Teair has just done a great job getting better ... very excited about where he's at," said Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter.

Tre'Mon Morris-Brash later stuffed a run at the line of scrimmage as the defense set the tone early on in practice.

"It was exciting. It was our first time really in pads, inside drill, 9-on-7," Minter said. "Love the drill and I think the guys were amped for it knowing it was the first time we might be kind of 'thudding' the drill.

"Not tackling people but hitting people," Minter added. "They were playing fast and downhill and aggressive ... certainly great to see, especially the D-line making the plays they were able to make."

The pass rush showed up later in team drills as Bud Dupree notched a sack before he split one with Otito Ogbonnia later in the drill. Donte Jackson had an interception on the latter play but it likely would have been nullified by the sack.

Jackson, by the way, also showed up in run support in the same practice period.

The Chargers later worked on a drill that had the offense backed up inside its own 5-yard line.

Junior Colson flashed here with a likely sack, and he teamed with Justin Eboigbe for a tackle for loss in a later drill.

"I've seen him playing really fast, downhill, physical," Minter said of Colson. "He made a bunch of plays today.

"I see him just getting his confidence and growing ... and part of it is that other guys' confidence in him is growing, which is cool to see," Minter added.

Minter said of Eboigbe: "He's been dominant in there at times."

The defense capped off their strong day with a pick 6 as rookie undrafted free agent Nikko Reed took an interception back roughly 15 yards to the house.

"I think he's got a chance. He's got a really good sense playing nickel," Minter said. "He was really well-trained and then has a good skillset. He came out of Oregon and played well there.

"Just has the ability to play that position ... he's just gotten better and better," Minter added.

2. A look at the trenches

Full pads meant another installment of 1-on-1 drills between offensive and defensive linemen Thursday.

Joe Alt started the drill with a clean win against Tuli Tuipulotu before Mekhi Becton did the same against Tart.

Ogbonnia swam past Zion Johnson before Jamaree Salyer and Da'Shawn Hand split their rep. Trey Pipkins III then shut down a swim move from Caleb Murphy for a win.

The majority of the rest of the drill featured stalemates between reserve players, but two defensive linemen who flashed included Naquan Jones and Scott Matlock.

The Chargers also got some work in on third downs during a 7-on-7 session that included red-zone work.

The top defense had the upper hand early in the period against Justin Herbert's group before the offense converted on a third-and-7 from the 14-yard line.

Herbert's group did close out the drill on a high note as Tre' Harris and Quentin Johnston caught short touchdowns from inside the 6-yard line.

3. An opportunity for young safeties

A pair of young Chargers safeties got some run with the top group Thursday.

With James and Tony Jefferson not practicing and Elijah Molden still working his way back, the spot next to Alohi Gilman was filled by both Kendall Williamson and rookie RJ Mickens in practice.

Williamson played in two games for the Chargers defense in 2024 and logged 40 total snaps.

Mickens, meanwhile, was a recent sixth-round pick out of Clemson.

"They're both doing really well. They're in competition for pecking order at that position," Minter said. "They've both taken advantage, the last couple days particularly, of more reps. And more reps with the first group, so to speak.

"It will be great to see them in game-play, live football, RJ especially," Minter added. "Just getting out there and seeing from it really looks like."

The Chargers open preseason play in one week against the Lions in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game.