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EXCLUSIVE: Private Chargers Training Camp – Underrated Offensive Weapons Shine

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The Chargers held an exclusive “private” Chargers training camp practice for season ticket holders on August 8. I was lucky to tag along with a friend of mine and attend. This practice was unpadded and quite short compared to the last practice I attended. That said, plenty of noteworthy storylines appeared. 

Chargers Training Camp Feature High Octane Offense From Underrated Playmakers

In an unpadded not-so-physical practice, it is expected for the offense to dominate. While the defense had its moments, from my standpoint, it seemed the offense got the best of them. 

1. Tyler Conklin Could Be In For A Major Season

Tyler Conklin, throughout the entire Chargers training camp practice today, was cooking Corners, Safeties and Linebackers. He was instrumental as a short-yardage option for Justin Herbert throughout the entire day. Conklin showcased his sure-handedness and route-running prowess and is now making his case as the number-two option behind Ladd McConkey.

This trust and early rapport between new addition Conklin and Herbert should be a big tell for what is to come during the 2025 season.

2. Tre Harris: Up & Down Day

The Chargers invested their 55th overall pick in Tre Harris to help bolster this weak receiver room. While the early returns are unclear, today proved to be the player they saw when watching the Ole Miss tape, but coupled with the expected rookie mistakes. 

Harris was unable to haul in a deep pass from Herbert, as it was just off his fingertips. This mishandling was disappointing, considering he also had another drop that led to an interception.

However, this drop was balanced out with a long touchdown catch on the same sideline, showing his ball tracking and hand-eye coordination. This catch was also heavily contested by the defensive back, giving Harris the highlight catch of today’s exclusive training camp. 

3. Undrafted Rookie Receivers Show Promise 

Both Daleveon Campbell and Luke Grimm have had their camps of fandom as the annual Chargers preseason receiver who impresses enough to make an intriguing case onto the final 53-man roster. Think Michael Bandy, Simi Fehoko, Artavis Scott, etc.

Grimm has yet to make a real impact this training camp and preseason due to injury, but his college highlight film and positional versatility allowed for Chargers fans to be on board with who he can be in the NFL early in the process.

That said, he was able to handle plenty of kick and punt returns, giving the coaching staff the notion he is more than capable of doing so if called upon. Furthermore, his very impressive one-handed snag today was a nice showcase of his receiving abilities.

Moving forward to Campbell, he has been up and down in camp, like his rookie receiver running mate, Harris. That said, today was an “up” day for the physically imposing receiver out of South Carolina. He was able to haul in another sideline bomb, something he has done all training camp long. 

Sunday against the New Orleans Saints will be another test for Grimm and Campbell to make their case for the final 53-man roster/practice squad.

4. Did Jim Harbaugh Change His Mind… Again?

Zion Johnson was seen snapping during seven on seven drills. This comes after Harbaugh calls Johnson the starting Left Guard and Bradley Bozeman the starting Center, deeming the competition practically over.

Is this another case of Harbaugh misleading the media? Or just more “cross-training” for Johnson, even if he was practically ruled out of the starting Center race? 

Only time will tell what the answer is. This up-and-coming preseason game, coupled with more Chargers training camp practices, will lead to the finale of this experiment.

5. Chargers Found Another Tony Jefferson? 

Nyheim Miller-Hines spent almost an hour after practice returning punts, then signing fans’ memorabilia.

During his time signing memorabilia, I asked Miller-Hines what his time with Philip Rivers was like. His response was: “He was awesome, man. I’m from North Carolina, so it was special, man.” 

Rivers played at North Carolina State.

He also followed up with “that was the best year of my career, so that helps.” Another fan said, “This year will top that,” with Miller-Hines responding, “Book it!”

Late Chargers training camp-cycle addition, Miller-Hines is quickly becoming a fan favorite and a guy who can really make a push to make this roster, or a guy who can have a Tony Jefferson-like season, where he’s up and down the practice squad and 53-man roster playing valuable ball down the stretch of the long NFL season.

Final Miscellaneous Notes From Chargers Exclusive Training Camp: 

  • Rookie Safety, RJ Mickens, had an impressive interception due to the aforementioned Tre Harris drop
  • Joe Alt & Trey Pipkins spent time after practice getting themselves ready for their newfound positions & importance
  • Denzel Perryman, when asked if he was playing this coming preseason game, said, “Not sure yet, but I’d like a couple of plays to get some aggression out”
  • Former Chargers receiver, Kassim Osgood, was seen at practice, signing autographs and spending time with the team 

Main Image:  Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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