Elliott Teaford – Orange County Register

Chargers OLB Tuli Tuipulotu raising his game and voice

Elliott Teaford — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 23:58:22 +0000

EL SEGUNDO — Tuli Tuipulotu arrived at his first Chargers training camp as a wide-eyed, 20-year-old second-round draft pick from USC. He approached veteran teammates and fellow outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa and called them “sir” and “mister” with a sense of reverence.

Tuipulotu made quite the first impression during the 2023 season, and it went far beyond being polite and respecting his elders in the locker room and on the field. He made his mark as a rookie, saying far more with his actions during practices and games than by opening his mouth.

He was quiet and shy off the field.

His play on the field was loud and attention-grabbing.

He was courteous off the field.

He was a menacing threat to opposing quarterbacks on the field.

Entering his third NFL season, Tuipulotu has embraced an enhanced role that now includes an occasional locker room or sideline speech to his teammates, something that was unthinkable when he was a rookie. Slowly but certainly, over 34 games, he has commanded additional respect from his peers.

“He’s a quiet dude, but when he speaks, everybody listens to him,” Mack said Friday of his younger and less experienced teammate. “It’s good to see him kind of coming into himself from a vocal standpoint, especially when he’s on the field. Just want to see more from him from that standpoint.”

Tuipulotu said after the second day of training camp that he hasn’t accomplished enough so far in his young career to be an outspoken leader, to be that rah-rah guy in the locker room or on the field. He insisted he must continue to let his play do the talking for him.

No question, Tuipulotu, 22, will get that opportunity this season, what with Mack now 34 and entering his 12th season and with Bosa having been released by the Chargers and signing with the Buffalo Bills. Tuipulotu is expected to start opposite Mack this season, his first as a full-time starter.

“Every year, I feel like, coming into it, it’s going to be a big year,” Tuipulotu said when asked if he believed the 2025 season could be even more of a breakout season for him than his first two. “That was my mindset going into last year and it’s going to be the same coming into this year.”

Tuipulotu said he has swapped texts with Bosa since Bosa’s departure in March.

“I hope he’s doing good, but, yeah, I miss him,” Tuipulotu said of Bosa.

Tuipulotu, Mack and Bosa formed a rotation for most of the past two seasons, but especially in 2024. Tuipulotu made 11 starts in 2023 and nine in ’24. He had 4½ sacks among his 53 combined tackles as a rookie and led the Chargers with 8½ sacks among his 42 tackles this past season.

Tuipulotu and Mack are expected to be joined by veteran Bud Dupree, who might also earn more playing time during the 2025 season with Bosa playing with Buffalo. Dupree, who is entering his 11th season in the NFL, was a valuable depth player last season, and he might be even more so this year.

“You don’t want a guy to be comfortable, but also within a defense you can get more comfortable and you can learn, and he knows exactly what we want him to do,” said Jesse Minter, entering his second season as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator. “He also has a playmaking skill-set, too.

“I think the really good players, it’s like, can they do what you want them to do? Do they also have that little magic where sometimes they go outside the realm and make a play? The really good, productive players have always been that way. I think he can be that. I think he’s done a great job of taking advantage of the opportunity.”

EXTRA POINTS

Jamaree Salyer slotted into Mekhi Becton’s spot at right guard for Friday’s practice, joining left tackle Rashawn Slater, left guard Bradley Bozeman, center Zion Johnson and right tackle Joe Alt. Becton had a good excuse for missing practice. He received his Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles. …

Chuka Ndulue has joined the Chargers’ coaching staff under the Spanos Coaching Fellowship program. He’ll be assisting the Chargers’ defensive linemen after spending last season as the defensive line coach at Colorado State. He also has coached at New Mexico, Southern Illinois and Oklahoma.

Chargers WR Mike Williams announces retirement on 1st day of camp

Elliott Teaford — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:29:28 +0000

EL SEGUNDO — On the first day of Chargers training camp, a shocker.

Wide receiver Mike Williams informed the Chargers that he planned to retire rather than continue his standout NFL career after eight seasons, a club spokesman confirmed while the opening day of training camp was underway Thursday morning at the team’s training facility.

Williams spent seven of his eight NFL seasons with the Chargers.

After splitting the 2024 season between the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, Williams re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year, $6.5-million contract in March. It seemed to be a natural reunion given Williams’ history with the team and, especially, with quarterback Justin Herbert.

“I want what’s best for Mike,” Herbert said. “It’s a tough situation. I have so much respect for him. Football, at the end of the day, is just a game. We’re definitely going to miss him. He’s going to be tough to replace. Those 50-50 balls weren’t really 50-50 balls. He would come down with them.

“He was a guy who was just always a red zone threat, someone you always had to cover and sometimes double (-team), and even then he’d find a way to come down with the ball. To have a guy like that would only make a team better. It was an honor to play alongside him and throw him the ball.”

Williams was hampered by an unspecified injury during spring practices, including minicamp last month. The Chargers placed him on the PUP list earlier this week, but General Manager Joe Hortiz said Wednesday afternoon that he expected Williams back on the field sooner than later.

It was anticipated that Williams would help bolster the Chargers’ wide receiver corps this coming season, giving Herbert additional options beyond second-year standout Ladd McConkey, who set franchise rookie receiving records last season with 82 catches for 1,149 yards.

Tory Dandy, Williams’ agent, then informed Hortiz later Wednesday that Williams intended to retire. Williams leaves the game at age 30, having caught 330 passes for 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns over 106 games in the NFL, including 88 with the Chargers, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2017.

Williams was unavailable for immediate comment.

“It feels good,” Williams said of his homecoming back in April. “Last year was terrible for me. It was terrible. Probably the worst year I had in the league by far. So, yeah, putting it in the past. That was the past. Trying to make it feel like it didn’t happen. Just trying to get back to what I’m used to and that’s having fun. That’s my main thing.”

The Chargers posted a photo with the words “Thank You” on social media.

“Oh man, I love him as a brother,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said of Williams after the first practice of camp. “I’m going to miss him a lot. I built a bond with him and (former Chargers receiver) Keenan Allen. I’m going to support him. I don’t want to say it’s shocking, but I’d like to have him out there with me.”

Coach Jim Harbaugh spoke with reporters before practice and before the news of Williams’ retirement broke at mid-morning. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report the story with a post on X (formerly Twitter), citing an unnamed source, while the Chargers were going through their first drills of training camp.

Harbaugh’s next media availability is scheduled for Tuesday.

McConkey was expected to be Herbert’s top target with Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Jalen Reagor, Jaylen Johnson, Dez Fitzpatrick, Brenden Rice and rookies Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith battling for playing time. Reager made a diving catch of a long Herbert pass Thursday.

But without Williams the Chargers’ wide receiver depth looked as thin for their training camp opener as it did last season. Harris, a second-round draft pick, reportedly ended his holdout late Thursday afternoon, signing his rookie contract. He is expected to report to practice Friday.

It was unclear whether Williams’ retirement impacted negotiations with Harris.

EXTRA POINTS

Herbert wore special contact lenses to protect his eyes from the harsh Southern California summer sun, which a reporter pointed out made him look like an evil Sith Lord from the “Star Wars” movie franchise. … Left tackle Rashawn Slater practiced as expected while awaiting a contract extension. … Harbaugh regaled reporters with tales of catching 22 foul balls or home runs while attending Major League games during his lifetime and meeting seven presidents and one pope.

Chargers camp preview: Najee Harris likely set for non-football injury list

Elliott Teaford — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:58:03 +0000

EL SEGUNDO — Chargers running back Najee Harris is likely to begin training camp on the non-football injury list because of a superficial eye injury suffered during a July 4 fireworks accident in his hometown of Antioch, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said Wednesday afternoon.

Hortiz said Harris’ doctors at Stanford University were in contact with the Chargers’ medical staff, but it was too soon to determine how long one of the team’s prized offseason free-agent acquisitions might be sidelined. Training camp begins Thursday in El Segundo.

Harris signed a one-season, $9.25 million contract with the Chargers in March after rushing for 1,000 yards or more in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was one of the nation’s top high school recruits while at Antioch High before playing collegiately at Alabama.

The Chargers expected to know more about Harris’ condition and prognosis after their doctors examined him, which was set for later Wednesday. Harris was still in the Bay Area when Hortiz briefed media on his condition and those of wide receiver Mike Williams and safety Elijah Molden.

“I’m sure there’s bruising and all that, but we still haven’t seen him,” Hortiz said of Harris. “We’ll get more clarity when he gets in to (be examined by) our doctors. We’re in communication with his doctors. Everything that has been relayed to us has been positive. He’ll be here later (Wednesday afternoon).

“Stanford doctors are pretty good, so we feel like he’s in the best hands.”

Williams and Molden were placed on the PUP list earlier this week because of unspecified injuries, but Hortiz said he didn’t expect either player to be sidelined for long. Hortiz said Williams was “working through something small and could be out there any day, and it’s the same with Najee.”

Hortiz said Williams’ injury was an issue that cropped up during spring practices.

“They’re very close,” Hortiz said of the possible returns of Williams, who re-signed with the Chargers after splitting last season with the Steelers and New York Jets, and Molden. “They could be any day. You guys (reporters) could come out one day and they’re not here and the next day they’ll be here.”

Hortiz also updated reporters on the status of wide receiver Tre Harris, the Chargers’ second-round draft pick. Harris is one of 30 second-round selections who have not signed their rookie deals over issues related to contract guarantees. Harris hadn’t reported to camp as of Wednesday.

It’s anticipated that there will be a domino effect once one of the 30 unsigned rookies agrees to his deal. Hortiz couldn’t venture a guess when that might be, but he said he hoped Harris would sign sooner rather than later because “practice is vital for everyone, not just him, everybody.”

“There’s a reason we come to camp, and you want to hit the ground running,” Hortiz said on the eve of his and Coach Jim Harbaugh’s second Chargers training camp. “One day missed, you know, it affects everyone differently. But, certainly, you want guys out there practicing. Hopefully, we have him out here soon.”

Left tackle Rashawn Slater reported on time along with the Chargers’ other veterans Wednesday. Hortiz said negotiations on a lucrative contract extension for Slater, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, continued but declined to reveal specifics in keeping with his usual method of operation.

“We’re having good conversations,” Hortiz said. “So, we’re working through it.”

Slater is signed through the upcoming season, the final year of his five-year rookie contract, with a guaranteed salary of more than $19 million, according to the website overthecap.com. Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers has the highest average annual salary of any left tackle at more than $27 million.

A new contract for Slater could be in that ballpark when it’s completed.

In the past, under the regime of former GM Tom Telesco, the Chargers completed extensions for their top players in due time. Quarterback Justin Herbert signed his extension on the eve of training camp in 2023 and safety Derwin James Jr. agreed to his new deal about one week into camp one year earlier.

“Like any high-level negotiation … they just take time,” said Hortiz, who expects Slater to practice with his teammates on Thursday. “Every conversation has been great, both sides. We’re making progress and feel good about the progress. I think it’s just the way it goes with (some) contracts.”

Chargers training camp preview: Is it Tuli Tuipulotu’s time to shine?

Elliott Teaford — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:03:16 +0000

The towering presence of outside linebacker Joey Bosa will be absent from the Chargers’ training camp when they hit the field on Thursday in El Segundo, heralding a new era for their defense. Bosa, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 280 pounds, was a fixture in powder blue, dating to their final season in San Diego in 2016.

But when the Chargers released him in March, it created salary cap flexibility and opened an opportunity for Tuli Tuipulotu to move into an enhanced role. General Manager Joe Hortiz used the extra capital to increase the Chargers’ depth and created a chance for the former USC star to shine.

Bosa landed on his feet with a one-year, $12.6 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.

The Chargers moved on, too, adding depth and experience to a defense that was top-ranked in the NFL last season, giving up an average of only 17.7 points per game. It remains to be seen whether they can be as good or better for the 2025 season, but it won’t be for a lack of trying.

Tuipulotu will be given an opportunity to move into a starter’s role, playing opposite fellow outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who signed a one-season contract worth a guaranteed $18 million to continue his Hall of Fame-caliber career for a 12th season and his fourth with the Chargers.

Tuipulotu will be 23 when the Chargers kick off their season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 5 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Mack will be 34. So you can see where this is going for this coming season and beyond. Tuipulotu will get a crack at establishing himself as one of the Chargers’ defensive pillars.

Bosa, Mack and Tuipulotu played in a rotation of sorts during the 2024, with Tuipulotu starting while Bosa was sidelined by an injury for three games. Tuipulotu led the Chargers with 8½ sacks. Mack had six sacks, down from a career-high 17 in 2023, and Bosa had five.

The outside linebacker corps would appear to be set for the 2025 season. Bud Dupree, 32, signed a two-year, $6 million extension as a depth player.

Safety Derwin James Jr. is another of the team’s defensive pillars, and the Chargers’ depth at safety was further solidified when Elijah Molden signed a three-year, $18.75 million deal in February. James, Molden and Alohi Gilman formed a solid foundation for the defensive backfield during 2024, and there’s no reason to expect anything different for 2025.

Veteran safety Tony Jefferson re-signed for a second year with the Chargers after retiring and spending the 2023 season as a scout with the Baltimore Ravens.

There are spots up for grabs at the cornerback, linebacker and defensive line positions between the start of camp and the season-opening game, however. The only thing for certain is nothing is for certain, especially at cornerback, where the Chargers moved on from Asante Samuel Jr.

Samuel was unsigned as of Tuesday, although he had been linked to the Miami Dolphins for many weeks dating to spring workouts.

Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still played key roles as rookies and fellow fifth-round draft picks last season. They’re likely to become full-time starters with Samuel gone and veteran Kristian Fulton having parlayed a strong 2024 season into a two-year, $20 million contract with the Chiefs.

Hortiz also signed cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley had a breakout season in his second year after the Chargers drafted him in the third round in 2023, and there’s zero reason to believe he won’t anchor the inside of their defense in 2025. Who joins him at inside linebacker remains to be determined, though.

There also will be intense competition for starting positions on the defensive line after Poona Ford signed a three-year, $29.6 million contract with the Rams in March. Ford was a key figure in the Chargers’ run defense. Teair Tart did re-sign with the Chargers on a one-year deal, however.

Hortiz also drafted defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell from Oregon in the third round and signed free agents Da’Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones to compete for the openings created by the departures of Ford and Morgan Fox, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

The bottom line when it comes to the Chargers’ defense heading into training camp is that there are plenty of chances for players to win starting positions and greatly enhance their profiles while at the same time building a solid foundation for a second consecutive highly ranked unit.

Chargers training camp preview: How serious is Najee Harris’ eye injury?

Elliott Teaford — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:53:38 +0000

Perhaps the biggest questions facing the Chargers during their spring workouts were whether Bradley Bozeman would hold onto his starting position at center or whether he and left guard Zion Johnson would flip spots by the time the season started on Sept. 5 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Now, with training camp beginning Thursday in El Segundo, there are more puzzles to be solved among the Chargers’ offensive players, not the least of which is the extent of running back Najee Harris’ eye injury suffered during a fireworks mishap on July 4 in his hometown of Antioch.

The Chargers declined comment last week. Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, said in a statement that his client is “fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.” But that didn’t resolve the issue of whether Harris would be able to participate in any, all or none of training camp.

Hendrickson described the injury as “superficial,” but that could mean all manner of things, and it left open the possibility (likelihood?) that Harris could need to wear protective goggles during practices and games in order to prevent further injury to one of the body’s most sensitive areas.

Is it possible the Chargers will place Harris on the injured list?

Furthermore, what might Harris’ potential absence do for the Chargers’ depth chart at running back, one of their most important positions on offense? Will Omarion Hampton, the Chargers’ first-round draft pick from North Carolina, be ready to take on an enhanced role?

The Chargers’ signed Harris to a one-year, $9.5 million contract on March 10 because they sought to improve their ground game. Harris rushed for 1,000 yards or more in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a stellar college career at Alabama.

In addition to his consistency, Harris’ durability also attracted the Chargers to him. They viewed him and Hampton as an upgrade from the J.K. Dobbins-Gus Edwards tandem of last season. Dobbins rushed for a career-high 905 yards in 13 games and might have topped 1,000 if not for an injury.

Dobbins signed with the Denver Broncos in the offseason.

Hampton rushed for 1,500 yards or more plus 15 touchdowns in each of his final two seasons at North Carolina, ranking fourth all-time in Tar Heels history with 3,565 yards in only three years. He was named first team All-ACC in 2023 and ‘24 and was a Doak Walker finalist both seasons.

So, what can he do for the Chargers, especially in light of Harris’ injury?

Some of the answers lie in how well the offensive line performs in front of Hampton and Harris. Shifting positions on the interior of the line will likely improve the Chargers’ ground game. The Chargers averaged 4.1 yards per attempt during the 2024 season, up from 3.8 in the previous season.

The Chargers signed Mekhi Becton from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and slotted him in at right guard next to right tackle Joe Alt, their first-round draft pick in 2024. They also experimented with Johnson at center and Bozeman at left guard during OTAs and minicamp.

What’s more, left tackle Rashawn Slater, a Pro Bowl selection twice in his four-year career, is eligible for a contract extension. He said last month he wasn’t concerned that negotiations hadn’t resulted in a fat new deal, but was content to let his agent do the talking with Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz.

The Chargers’ last two significant extensions were completed and announced in due course. Quarterback Justin Herbert signed his new contract on the eve of training camp in 2023 and safety Derwin James Jr. signed his extension a week into the start of camp one year earlier.

Last but certainly not least, rookie wide receiver Tre’ Harris is one of 30 second-round draft picks who haven’t signed their contracts. Harris, who played collegiately at Mississippi, was a no-show Saturday when the Chargers’ other rookies were required to report for the start of camp, according to reports.

The Cleveland Browns’ Carson Schwesinger and the Houston Texans’ Jayden Higgins, the top two picks in the second round of the draft, signed their contracts in May, but two months have passed and the remaining 30 selections in that round remain unsigned in disputes over contract guarantees.

How long Harris goes unsigned remains to be determined.

Stay tuned. It might be a bumpy ride.

Dodgers erupt behind Shohei Ohtani, Max Muncy to beat Nationals

Elliott Teaford — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:27:02 +0000

Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim fields the ball before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

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Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim fields the ball before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

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LOS ANGELES — They clustered around the railings above the Dodgers’ bullpen long before the opening pitch on Sunday afternoon, standing five, 10 and maybe 15 deep in some places. All so they could catch a glimpse of Shohei Ohtani’s warmup tosses before he faced the Washington Nationals.

Dodgers fans roared when Ohtani took the mound for his second start of 2025. They roared again when he departed after striking out two in one scoreless inning of work during an eventual 13-7 victory over the Nationals. He didn’t give up a run, and he didn’t top 100 mph, as he did in his first start.

Ohtani threw 18 pitches, the fastest clocked at 98.8 mph.

It would have been only 11 pitches, but shortstop Mookie Betts dropped James Wood’s pop-up that soared into a cloudless sky with one out in the first. Wood then advanced to second base on a wild pitch, but was stranded after Ohtani struck out Luis Garcia Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe to end the inning.

After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he considered allowing Ohtani to pitch the second inning, but when Betts’ error extended the first, it was time to make a pitching change. Right-hander Ben Casparius (6-1) replaced Ohtani and gave up three runs and five hits over five innings.

“I think we were going to remain at one inning, regardless,” Roberts said. “But it did cross my mind.”

In the end, nearer to the end, it was Ohtani’s hitting rather than his pitching that brought a crowd of 48,177 to its feet. He slugged a three-run triple in the Dodgers’ seven-run seventh inning and then hit a two-run homer in the eighth as the Dodgers turned a three-run deficit into a runaway victory.

“He’s a unicorn,” Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing said of Ohtani.

Max Muncy homered twice, including a sixth-inning grand slam that put the Dodgers ahead, 4-3.

All things considered, it was another step on Ohtani’s road to becoming a valuable addition to the Dodgers’ rotation, with the two-position superstar coming along slowly but certainly. It remained to be determined Sunday when he might pitch again or whether his outings would be extended.

Roberts indicated Ohtani’s next start most likely would be for only one inning, however.

Ohtani also pitched one inning in the Dodgers’ victory over the San Diego Padres last Monday night, his first appearance on the mound since undergoing elbow surgery 21 months ago and 22 months since he last pitched for the Angels. He gave up two hits and one run on 28 pitches against the Padres.

“Overall, I was able to relax much better compared to my last outing,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I’m looking forward to adding more innings and more pitches.”

Said Roberts of Ohtani: “Considerably better today as far as the stuff, the life of the fastball, the command of his pitches and much better. So, overall, a really good outing.”

When he left the mound on Sunday, Ohtani exchanged his glove for a bat, and promptly struck out to start the bottom of the first inning. He struck out again to end the third, with Rushing at second base after a walk and a balk by Washington starter Michael Soroka.

The Nationals staked Soroka to a 3-0 lead on Lowe’s three-run homer in the third, a ball that glanced off the glove of center fielder Hyeseong Kim, the top of the fence in left-center and then the outstretched hands of a fan before falling to the field. At first, it was ruled a two-run double for Lowe.

But, after an extended video replay, Lowe was credited with a homer, his 13th.

The Nationals’ lead didn’t last long, though. Soroka departed after a career-high 10 strikeouts and the Dodgers rallied for a 4-3 lead on Muncy’s grand slam off of reliever Jose Ferrer (2-3) in the sixth. Ohtani’s three-run triple off of reliever Ryan Loutos then extended the Dodgers’ lead to 7-3.

Muncy then followed with a three-run homer against Cole Henry in the seventh to make it 11-3, his third career seven-RBI game. Suddenly, a tight game had turned into a blowout victory for the Dodgers, who ended their 10-game homestand with a 7-3 mark before a day off Monday.

In the eighth, Ohtani hit his 26th homer of the season, and position player Kiké Hernandez was summoned to pitch the ninth with the Dodgers leading 13-3. As they did when Ohtani went to the mound to start the game, Dodgers fans stood and cheered as Hernandez walked from the bullpen.

Dodgers considering lineup change for Shohei Ohtani on pitching days

Elliott Teaford — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 22:29:14 +0000

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani took his customary spot atop the Dodgers’ batting order for their game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon. But it might not be long before he drops in the order on the days or nights when he assumes his additional role as one of their starting pitchers.

Manager Dave Roberts said he approached Ohtani after his first start after a two-year layoff following elbow surgery if he wished to remain as a leadoff hitter, and Ohtani told him “he was completely fine with it.” It wasn’t a fatigue thing or anything like that, but it was something to consider.

“I think right now we’ll play it status quo, but you know coming out of this one (start against the Nationals) it might make more sense to drop to second or third or fourth,” Roberts said of shifting Ohtani out of the leadoff role. “But right now, we’ll remain status quo. I have not seen signs of fatigue.”

Compounding matters, Ohtani went into Sunday’s game mired in a 2-for-19 skid without an extra-base hit or a run in his past five games. He was 0 for 4 in the Dodgers’ loss to Washington on Saturday night, striking out twice with runners in scoring position and continuing a pattern in which he had whiffed in eight of 10 at-bats.

“I think, like all hitters, when you start chasing outside of the strike zone, it’s hard to have consistent success,” Roberts said when asked if he’s noticed anything dramatic in Ohtani’s approach at the plate. “I don’t think that’s a fatigue thing, but we’ll manage it. … Once we ramp it up (his innings as a pitcher), it might be a different conversation.”

As for Sunday’s game, Roberts said Ohtani would bat leadoff.

“He’s going to throw an inning, potentially, and he’s going to walk up to the on-deck circle and put his stuff on to take his first at-bat,” Roberts said. “He’s good with it right now, but is there a scenario where I feel that it might be better for him in their first at-bat to kind of reshuffle the lineup and give him one, two, three hitters to get set? Sure, absolutely.”

REHAB SUNDAY

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow threw two shutout innings in the first of at least three rehab assignments at Triple-A Oklahoma City. Glasnow, who had been sidelined since April 27 because of back and shoulder issues, did not give up a hit and struck out one with three walks in 48 pitches against Round Rock (Texas).

Righty Luis Garcia threw one inning of shutout ball for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga against Lake Elsinore. Garcia, who has been out since May 27 because of a groin injury, gave up one hit and struck out one while throwing only nine pitches, including eight for strikes.

UPCOMING PROBABLES

Tuesday at Coors Field: The Dodgers (TBD) vs. Colorado Rockies right-hander German Marquez (3-8, 6.11 ERA). Wednesday: Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-6, 2.76) vs. Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander (2-7, 6.19), Thursday: Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 3.31) vs. Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber (0-1, 8.38).

Chargers sign offensive lineman Elijah Ellis, waive Tyler McLellan

Elliott Teaford — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 22:31:24 +0000

The Chargers signed left tackle Elijah Ellis, an undrafted free agent from Marshall University, and waived tackle Tyler McLellan on Tuesday. Ellis started all 13 games during the 2024 season for Marshall, which averaged nearly 32 points per game and had a top-20 rushing attack.

Ellis began his collegiate career at Baylor in 2021.

The Chargers’ offensive line is loaded at the tackle spots with Rashawn Slater at left tackle and Joe Alt at right tackle. Right guard Mekhi Becton signed with the Chargers after helping the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl this past season. There is competition at center and left guard, however.

The Chargers are scheduled to hold their final day of rookie OTAs on Wednesday.

Chargers’ early riser Oronde Gadsden II making a good first impression

Elliott Teaford — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:11:58 +0000

Chargers players goes through an OTA practice at the Chargers’ facility on Monday, June 16, 2025, in El Segundo. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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Chargers players goes through an OTA practice at the Chargers’ facility on Monday, June 16, 2025, in El Segundo. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

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EL SEGUNDO — Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II usually wakes up at first light, which these days in Southern California is about 5 a.m. He hasn’t adjusted to the Pacific Time Zone after living all of his life in the Eastern Time Zone, so it’s been difficult to get back to sleep in an unfamiliar hotel room. Then he’s out the door and on his bike for an 8-minute ride to the Chargers’ practice facility.

Is anyone else around The Bolt at that unspeakable hour?

“The security guy,” Gadsden said.

It’s too early for breakfast.

The locker room is empty.

So is the training room.

And the weight room is, too, although strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert usually isn’t far behind.

Gadsden, 21, then heads onto one of the three practice fields hours before the sun breaks through the marine layer and well before he’s required to be on hand for the last of the Chargers’ organized team activities this week before a nearly monthlong break before the start of training camp on July 17.

So far, perhaps the most difficult part of practices and workouts for Gadsden since the Chargers drafted him in the fifth round in April has been adjusting to the different time zone. He’s been early for practice, for workouts, for meetings, for breakfast, for every aspect of his rookie year.

“Being around when my dad was playing kind of taught me the ins and outs and how everything is going to go,” Gadsden said of his father, also named Oronde, who spent six seasons as a wide receiver with the Miami Dolphins between 1998 and 2003. “Most of it has gone how I expected.”

The elder Gadsden also drilled one very important lesson into his son’s head.

“My dad always told me that you should show up early,” Gadsden said.

In addition to impressing Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, tight ends coach Andy Bischoff and veteran teammates such as fellow tight ends Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly, Gadsden’s early arrivals have had another benefit. Gadsden has walked through the playbook on his own on the field.

“Coach Herb,” as the Chargers call him to distinguish him from quarterback Justin Herbert, suggested Gadsden hit the field early in order to drill down on the plays and better prepare for team walk-throughs and practices that often don’t start until noon or later. It’s been very helpful.

“He was really the one that came up with that,” Gadsden said of Ben Herbert.

Conklin and Dissly have been helpful in mentoring Gadsden as he makes the transition from Syracuse University to the Chargers. The tight end’s job isn’t just about catching spirals from Justin Herbert. It’s also about blocking and clearing space for running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton.

“He wants to listen, he wants to learn,” Bischoff said of Gadsden. “All you ever ask of a blocker is a willingness, and we can take it from there. If they have a willingness, then you’ve got to hone in on the fundamentals and help them grow. If they don’t have a willingness, that’s a challenge.

“He has a willingness.”

Gadsden also has shown in spring practices that he can make plays, which in addition to his 6-foot-5, 236-pound frame, was what attracted Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz to him before the draft. The Chargers believe he can be another reliable target for Justin Herbert.

Last season at Syracuse, Gadsden caught 73 passes for 934 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. He was a third-team AP All-America selection and a first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference pick in 2024 and 2022 after moving to tight end from wide receiver before the ’22 season.

“It’s way early, way early, but he’s twitchy,” Bischoff said in evaluating Gadsden’s play so far. “He separates. He does some really good things in the passing game, and I think, as he’s become more comfortable in our system in the last four or five days, people are beginning to see that.”

Now, if the Chargers can just get him to sleep past the crack of dawn.

Chargers review: Rashawn Slater content to let agent do the talking

Elliott Teaford — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:24:43 +0000

EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers concluded their mandatory, three-day minicamp on Thursday afternoon at their gleaming, nearly 1-year-old practice facility. Here’s some of what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after the veterans were given a break until training camp begins July 17:

WHAT, RASHAWN WORRY?

Left tackle Rashawn Slater said he had no concerns about when his anticipated contract extension might be completed. He said he arrived as scheduled this week for minicamp because it was important to be on the field, in the weight room and the locker room with his teammates.

“I don’t want to miss any time,” he said. “It’s important. This is what we do.”

Slater also said he was content to let his agent hammer out the details of a new contract. Extensions for quarterback Justin Herbert, in 2023, and safety Derwin James Jr., in 2022, were completed during past training camps, and there’s little reason to believe the Chargers won’t do the same for Slater.

Herbert agreed to his new deal on the eve of camp in ’23.

James signed his extension a little more than a week into camp one year earlier.

Herbert ($37 million), James ($23 million) and Slater ($19 million) have the Chargers’ three highest salary cap hits for the 2025 season, according to statistics compiled by the website overthecap.com. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack has the fourth-highest cap hit at $18 million.

“My agent is having those conversations on my behalf,” Slater said. “I’m focused on training. Whatever happens happens. To be honest with you, I’m just going to continue training. That’s been my thing since Day 1. My agent is handling everything for me. I’m not super concerned about it.”

HERBERT UPDATE

After playing under three different offensive coordinators in as many seasons, Herbert and Greg Roman are back together for their second year. After a steep learning curve after Roman joined Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Chargers, Herbert has found his comfort zone in the offense.

“Every day he impresses me in a million different ways,” Roman said of Herbert. “Just in how he goes about his business. He could go out and run practice. He knows this offense inside and out now. Last year at this time, it was his third system in three years, so that was a challenge.

“This year, him and some of the guys progressed through things, kind of changed how we installed the offense. This year, we prioritized different things. We understand who we are now. What we do will be a little different in how we do it, how we practice it. That kind of a thing.”

HERBERT (PART 2)

Herbert was unfazed when asked how he dealt with the Chargers’ wild-card loss to the Houston Texans, when he threw a career-high four interceptions in a 32-12 defeat, one more than he threw during the 17-game regular season. His response was short and to the point, calling it just like any other loss.

“I thought we were off to a good start in that game,” Roman said. “A couple of key things didn’t go our way. We could have handled it better. The result of that game, nobody’s happy about. Got a chance to look at it, understand it, take a hard look at it. Put it to bed and move on.

“Here we are in June. Excited about the new year.”

HENLEY HONORED

Inside linebacker Daiyan Henley showed off a certificate for being the best yapper, as judged by the Chargers’ crack social media team. It was a proud moment, to be sure, but Henley said he’s also trying for a perfect attendance certificate, so he expects to join the rookies at Monday’s OTA.

“It’s been a good week, man,” he said. “In order to be a good yapper you have to do something. You have to do something whether it’s in practice or a game because if you’re yapping and not doing anything, you’re a pretty easy target. You call me a yapper all you want. As long as I’m producing something, I’ll be that yapper.”

WHAT COMES NEXT

The Chargers will hold three days of organized team activities for their rookies on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before breaking until training camp begins July 17. The first of their four preseason exhibition games will be against the Detroit Lions on July 31 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.