1. LB Junior Colson
The third-year linebacker had been waiting for a big moment.
That opportunity came in the second half in the preseason game against San Francisco.
With 49ers quarterback Adrian Martinez dropping back to pass, Colson read his eyes perfectly and broke for the football after he released the ball.
He then returned the interception 16 yards into the end zone for the Chargers first touchdown of the night and was mobbed by his teammates.
“Quick game. I knew anything quick inside, that’s where they had to go,” Colson said postgame. “The second [the tight end] motioned away, it was going to be double slants so that’s what I was reading.”
The Chargers 2024 third-round pick missed all last season after suffering a shoulder injury during the preseason.
This came after battling injuries as a rookie as well, making Thursday’s big play meaningful to him after what’s been a long journey back.
“It felt really good to get back out there on the field,” Colson said. “It wasn’t the result we wanted, so it doesn’t feel as great as it should’ve. We just got to keep stacking.
“I’m just glad to be playing the sport I love again. I feel like I missed two years of it now,” Colson added.
Colson has been out there all offseason and training camp, and has one more preseason game on deck to be able to stack on this big play.
“I’ve felt really good to be back out there,” Colson said. “Just good to be able to play my game again and build my confidence back up, trust my shoulder, trust my body.
“That’s been the biggest thing during camp, just trusting myself and going out there and making plays,” Colson added.