News Chargers Team Notes

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers urged to re-sign offensive lineman in free agency

The Los Angeles Chargers are going into the season with a lot of concern for their offensive line going into the future.

Rashawn Slater suffered a major season-ending injury, Joe Alt is moving from the right side to the left to replace him and Trey Pipkins is stepping in as well. The team also has an uncertain future with guard Zion Johnson, who had his fifth-year option declined by the team last year.

Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine believes Johnson should be a top priority for the Chargers to sign in free agency next offseason.

“The Chargers made it clear that re-signing Zion Johnson wasn’t an immediate priority this offseason. They declined his fifth-year option, making it possible he will become a free agent in 2026. It’s understandable, he hasn’t lived up to his billing as a first-round guard,” Ballentine wrote.

“That being said, he has the physical tools to be what the Chargers want at the position. If he can prove that in his second year under Jim Harbaugh then he will easily become the most important free agent for the Chargers to keep around.”

Johnson has been one of the team’s starting guards ever since he was taken with the No. 17 overall pick out of Boston College in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he hasn’t lived up to standards.

The Chargers have already spent so much money with Slater becoming the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. However, his injury leads to some reasons for concern on the offensive line. The team is also going to have to prepare to pay Alt, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Either the Chargers will end up re-signing Johnson or the team could look to spend an early draft pick on an interior lineman in 2026.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...gn-offensive-lineman-zion-johnson-free-agency

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice not expected to miss season opener vs. Chargers

In March 2024, Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was involved in a multi-car accident that led to him being chard with two third-degree felonies: collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury.

In July of this year, Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years’ probation. He plead guilty to the above charges. As of now, the case will be dismissed if he completes the probation.

On Thursday morning, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Rice is expected to have his disciplinary hearing with the NFL on September 30. This means that Rice will be able to play in the team’s first four regular season games before finding out his discipline handed down by the league. Of course, this ensures that — barring any further injuries — that Rice will likely be available for the Chiefs against the Chargers in Brazil for the season opener.

Rice is seemingly all the way back from a torn LCL in his right knee that ended his 2024 season after just four games. He had 24 catches for 288 yards and two scores prior to the injury.

ESPN sources: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is expected to have his disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Tuesday, Sept 30 in New York. This means that Rice now is likely to be able to play the first four weeks of this season before any potential discipline is imposed for his role in a… pic.twitter.com/nC37poNfEb

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 14, 2025

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo...ot-expected-to-miss-season-opener-vs-chargers

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers sign CB Harrison Hand

On Thursday afternoon, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reported that the Chargers have added another cornerback to the team as they’ve signed for Vikings draft pick Harrison Hand after working him out earlier this week. In a corresponding move, the team waived/injured wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick.

The Chargers also signed cornerback Nehemiah Shelton on Wednesday who also worked out for the team with Hand and one other cornerback.

#Chargers signed CB Harrison Hand and waived/injured WR Dez Fitzpatrick.

— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 14, 2025

Hand originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Vikings in 2020 out of Temple. Before joining the Owls program, he was a member of the Baylor Bears for three seasons. Since being drafted, the 6’0, 197-pound defender has also had stints with the Giants (2022), Bears (2022), and Falcons (2024).

Thus far in his NFL career, Hand has recorded 34 total tackles, four pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble.

The signing of both Shelton and Hand come after 2025 UDFA cornerback Eric Rogers wound up injured on a kickoff coverage during the team’s 27-13 win over the Saints this past Sunday. To make room for Shelton, the team also waived/injured fellow 2025 UDFA corner Jordan Oladokun.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/los-angeles-chargers-news/59868/chargers-sign-cb-harrison-hand

 

[Los Angeles Chargers]

Chargers vs. Rams: 3 Position Battles to Watch

The Los Angeles Chargers enter their third preseason game on Saturday 2-0 and look to continue their dominant ways against the Los Angeles Rams. And while their preseason record won’t carry over, nor the record is indicative of anything (the 0-16 Lions were 4-0 in preseason; Ravens went 24-0 from 2015-2023), there are things valuable within the games to focus upon. Chief among them are the competitions that earn more involvement when the records matter.

There are three important competitions as the preseason creeps toward its end. The first and most important: a battle between two rookies.

Wide Receiver

Competitors: Tre Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Both Harris and Lambert-Smith were drafted with the hopes of revitalizing a receiver corps needing new talent to flourish as they parted ways with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in 2024. Coincidentally, both have since reunited with the Chargers after their one-year departures, though Williams retired on the first day of training camp, ushering in a reunion with Allen.

Nonetheless, the Chargers have a competition between the two upstarts. Though, it’s not been one to be consumed in the preseason so much as training camp.

K. Lambert-Smith: 24 snaps 2 targets, 2 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD | 27 snaps, 2 targets, 0 receptions
T. Harris: 24 snaps 1 targets, 0 receptions | 24 snaps, 0 targets

The final two preseason games could tilt the favor in one player’s direction. Harris has the benefit of being a second-round selection. Lambert-Smith has the production — albeit minimal — from the Hall of Fame Game. But if one makes repeated plays down the stretch, it will solidify their early involvement for 2025.

Depth Cornerback

Competitors: Eric Rogers, Nikko Reed

Rogers and Reed have been the two best cornerbacks this preseason by all counts. And yet, they’re both contending for a roster spot due to the cornerback room featuring Tarheeb Still, Donte Jackson, Cam Hart, Benjamin St-Juste and others. It would take injury or great fortune for both to make the roster, even after their impressive individual performances.

After the Chargers’ first preseason game, our own Michael Peterson had only Reed making the 53. Both are proving to be NFL caliber, but roster gymnastics can only stretch so far. Continue to watch these two contend to make the Chargers’ roster, or find their way elsewhere when cuts are revealed.

Depth Outside Linebacker / Special Teams

Competitors: Caleb Murphy, Kyle Kennard

Through two games, Caleb Murphy has flashed. No play more noteworthy than Murphy forcing a fumble on the opening play in the Hall of Fame Game against the Lions, which turned into a five-play scoring drive finalized with Trey Lance’s touchdown pass to tight end Will Dissly on 4th & Goal.

Murphy sits just outside the Top 10 in PFF’s pass rush grades among edge rushers this preseason (No. 11, 86.3). Meanwhile, Kennard, the Chargers’ fourth-round pick and 2024 SEC Defensive Player of the Year who racked up 15.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks for the Gamecocks, has hardly seen the field. Kennard played 23 snaps in the Hall of Fame Game and finished with no tallies. He did not play against the New Orleans Saints.

These two are vying for the No. 4 outside linebacker role, which means rotational snaps and filling in to keep the teams’ premier rushers fresh. It also includes involvement in special teams. Watch for them in both roles to see who has the edge in the final two games.

Source: https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/lo.../chargers-vs-rams-3-position-battles-to-watch