The Chargers put the pads back on Saturday evening for the third time this training camp. This practice was different—players were hitting. Really hitting.
It appears head coach Jim Harbaugh wanted to ramp up the intensity as the team inches closer to its first preseason game.
The team had nine defenders lined up against seven offensive players during run drills, creating plenty of trash talk and hard-hitting action as pads collided.
One of the biggest storylines in camp continues to be the competition at center and left guard.
Two names have been at the forefront: Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman. But offensive coordinator Greg Roman has now added a new name to the mix—one with ties to a division rival.
“Andre James is doing a really good job at center,” Roman said. “To me, he’s really elevated himself into the mix as well.”
James, who has started over 60 games at center for the Raiders, was largely overlooked until recently due to the spotlight on Johnson and Bozeman.
Bozeman took all the center reps during the first two padded practices, while Johnson got his opportunity on Saturday.
Johnson had a rough moment on one play, where Otito Ogbonnia shed him quickly and pressured quarterback Justin Herbert.
Ric Tapia – The Sporting Tribune
Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws during training camp practice at The Bolt on July 24, 2025 in El Segundo, California.
“He’s doing a better job with the calls, running the offensive line as a new guy coming in,” Roman said. “He was a little bit behind the other guys who have been in the system for a year, but also his presence and physicality, he does some good instinctual things, too.”
This center battle is just starting to heat up. All three players are firmly in the mix, and it will be interesting to see how Harbaugh, Roman, and offensive line coach Mike Devlin divide the reps in the coming days.
“We’ll have some meetings and talk about it, but he’s really showing some good stuff out there,” Roman said. “Again, the best players are going to play.”
The MVP of Saturday’s practice was wide receiver Derius Davis, who has been steadily raising his stock.
Dating back to the end of last season, Davis had already begun to show that he’s more than just a return specialist.
Harbaugh even mentioned him during his press conference on Friday afternoon.
“Have you noticed Derius Davis showing up? He’s showing up in a big way,” Harbaugh said.
The former TCU standout scored three touchdowns during practice.
The first came on a red zone drill from 15 yards out. Herbert took the snap and, on the very first play, delivered a pass that only Davis could make a play on—sliding like a centerfielder to haul in the catch. It was an impressive display of concentration and effort.
His second score came in 7-on-7 red zone work, with Herbert finding him again on a 19-yard strike to the back of the end zone.
Later, Davis capped off his big day with a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Taylor Heinicke, giving him three scores in one practice.
“We actually made that comment the other day, he’s really becoming a route runner whereas before he was just a fast guy out there,” Roman said. “He came from a wide-open type of offense at TCU, so there was some adaptation that needed to take place and he’s doing really good job of it. He’s a weapon out there.”
During red zone drills, undrafted rookie cornerback Nikko Reed was matched up against second-year receiver Ladd McConkey.
Herbert dropped back and threw in McConkey’s direction, but Reed made a break on the ball and came away with an interception.
It marked his second pick of camp—his first coming in the form of a pick-six last Thursday. Reed continues to build momentum and should get another opportunity to impress Thursday night in Canton, Ohio.