5 Takeaways: What We Learned From 2nd Week of Chargers Training Camp

Jul 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Eric Smith

Editorial Director

A long week of Chargers Training Camp is done.

The Bolts are off Sunday but practiced for six straight days earlier in the week, a stretch that included two practices in San Diego and three total practices in pads.

Here is what we've learned from the second week of camp:

1. The WR group has stepped up

A week ago we wrote that all eyes would be on the wide receiver group after the retirement of Mike Williams.

A half-dozen practices later, that position room was among the standouts on the roster in Week 2 of camp.

Perhaps the biggest development came Wednesday when rookies Tre' Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith each had eye-popping days at the University of San Diego.

Jim Harbaugh was asked about Lambert-Smith, a fifth-round pick, on Friday.

"He's surging. He's getting good, showing some good things," Harbaugh said. "What I like to say about young players, 'He's a good player. And the longer it takes to figure that out, the better he'll be.'

"We'll keep letting it happen … but we're really fired up about KLS," Harbaugh added.

The Chargers Head Coach, unprompted, was then quick to bring up another wide receiver who has caught his eye.

"Have you noticed Derius Davis showing up? He's showing up in a big way," Harbaugh said. "We know what he can do on teams, but I'm talking about as a receiver. Legitimate weapon on offense. Very pleased with the way he's playing as well."

And while Ladd McConkey remains his usual steady self, Quentin Johnston has also kept progressing with one solid practice after another.

"We're learning from each other how we can play best together," Justin Herbert said of Johnston earlier in the week.

Herbert later added: "Q's just my brother. We go out there, and it's not always going to go our way. But I know that he's got my back just like I got his back. At the end of the day, I can count on him."

As the first preseason game approaches, the arrow is pointing up for this group.

2. Keep an eye on the D-line

Similar to a year ago, many wondered how the Bolts interior defensive line would fare without a marquee name in the group.

It turns out the overall collection of talent there has been more than enough so far in camp.

"There's five, six, seven guys that can all play," said Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said. "They can all do the things that we want them to do."

Minter later added: "That group as a whole is big, physical and understanding how we want them to play."

Teair Tart and Otito Ogbonnia have been among the standouts against both the run and the pass.

But perhaps the biggest development has been the play of Justin Eboigbe, a 2024 fourth-rounder who played just 26 defensive snaps as a rookie.

Eboigbe has flashed almost every day in practice and drew praise from Minter on Thursday.

"He's been dominant in there at times," Minter said.

This group's potential was on full display early in Thursday's fully-padded practice. With the Chargers holding a 9-on-7 drill (the offense has nine players), it was the Chargers defensive trench players who shined.

"That's something to really build on. My favorite was the 9-on-7 drill. It was a really good run wall but the offense got some movement, too, in the run game. Just felt good about the overall practice," Harbaugh said.

He later added of the D-line: "I liked the penetration. We had TFLs, it's just been a very stout group. Really, every practice I watch and look at them, they all look good. It's like, 'Who is who?' even [because] they're all playing at a really high level."