EL SEGUNDO — There are plenty of questions to be asked and answered during every NFL training camp. Here’s an intriguing one from the Chargers’ 2025 camp: Have rookie wide receivers Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith done enough to have shouldered their way onto the 53-man roster?
The answer will be revealed when the rosters are set on Aug. 26.
No question, the upcoming debate will be bolstered by their standout play during the Chargers’ 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams on Saturday at SoFi Stadium. Harris caught a team-leading six passes on eight targets for 85 yards. Lambert-Smith caught two passes on six targets for 66 yards.
Those were Harris’ first catches of the preseason. Lambert-Smith has four receptions for a team-leading 109 yards plus one touchdown, a 15-yard catch and run during the Chargers’ 34-7 victory over the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.
Harris’ longest reception Saturday covered 34 yards. Lambert-Smith’s longest reception covered 37 yards. Both passes were from Trey Lance, who despite protests to the contrary from the Chargers’ coaching staff, has emerged as the leading candidate to become Justin Herbert’s backup.
The coaches have said the race is wide open, but Lance has made things happen with his arm and his legs while getting the bulk of the snaps in three preseason games. Herbert played one series against the Rams and connected with Lambert-Smith on a 29-yard gain, one of his two completions.
Overall, during practices and games, Harris and Lambert-Smith have looked as if they belong among the Chargers’ collection of top receivers. They have hauled in accurate pass after accurate pass and snared more than a few that were misfires from Herbert, Lance, Taylor Heinicke and DJ Uiagalelei.
“I thought all the receivers did an outstanding job,” Coach Jim Harbaugh said after Saturday’s game. “Tre’ had some big catches, showing the catch radius, showing the ability to catch it over the middle, catch and run and catch on the sideline. I thought he had a heck of a game.
“(Lambert-Smith), the same. I’m really impressed with ‘KLS’ on the gunner rep (on the Chargers’ punt coverage team inside the final two minutes of the first half), and the tackle (of the Rams’ Britain Covey) and the toughness. I thought both of those players, Tre’ and KeAndre, showed a lot of grit.”
What’s going against Harris, the Chargers’ second-round draft pick from Mississippi, and Lambert-Smith, their fifth-round selection from Auburn, is the numbers’ game. The Chargers are loaded with talented young wide receivers, starting with rookie record-holder Ladd McConkey.
McConkey set franchise rookie records with 82 catches and 1,149 receiving yards during the 2024 season.
The Chargers’ most senior receiver is Keenan Allen, who is entering his 13th season in the NFL. Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis and Dez Fitzpatrick also were listed ahead of Harris and Lambert-Smith on the Chargers’ unofficial depth chart going into Saturday’s game against the Rams.
It remains to be determined whether Harris and Lambert-Smith move up on the depth chart during the final days of training camp. The Chargers’ preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in Santa Clara marks the end of training camp.
Cutdown day is Aug. 26. The regular-season opener is Sept. 5.
Harris and Lambert-Smith could move up the depth chart – temporarily, anyway – after Johnston sustained a concussion on Saturday. Johnston was transported to a hospital for further evaluation. He did not participate in practice Monday, and there was no update on his condition or prognosis.
EXTRA POINTS
Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips joined his teammates for individual drills. He has been on the active physically unable to perform (PUP) list since camp started on July 17, meaning he could be activated at any time. He was a top candidate to play a backup role at linebacker and also be a key special teams member. …
In addition to Johnston, right guard Mekhi Becton, safety Alohi Gilman and defensive back Deane Leonard did not practice. Cornerback Cam Hart and running back Najee Harris worked out on the sidelines. Davis wore a yellow don’t-hit-me jersey in team drills in his return to practice.