Los Angeles

Chargers

Mitchell went down with the hamstring injury late in camp but returned to practice earlier this week. The team will likely keep his workload light in practice and on Sunday. Omarion Hampton remains the clear lead back in LA, with Mitchell mixing in for some designed touches. He will be an RB4 for his first game as a Charger.

Thompson tweaked his hip in preseason play back on August 20th. A limited session on Wednesday puts him on track to play in Week 1 against the Cardinals, potentially as the team’s WR4 and a special teams contributor.

Way back in late May, the Athletic’s Daniel Popper suggested Kolar, who signed a three-year, $24.3 million contract with the Bolts this spring, would enter the season as LA’s top tight end “because of his complete skill set.” Week 1 usage will tell us a lot about how offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will use his tight ends, but for now it seems Kolar will lead the group in Week 1 against the Cardinals. David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden II, however, could see more pass game involvement depending on how many routes they run in a given week, and whether the Chargers go run-heavy against an opponent. None of the Chargers’ tight ends are particularly appealing fantasy plays for Week 1.

Mitchell missed the last six practices due to an undisclosed injury but was on the field Monday participating in drills. The Chargers don’t need to disclose any specifics regarding Mitchell’s injury until Wednesday, when they release their first official injury report of the season, but his return on Monday is an encouraging sign. Mitchell is expected to work into the mix with Omarion Hampton, who will serve as the unquestioned RB1 for the Chargers this season. Whether or not Mitchell sees enough work to be fantasy viable is to be determined, but there’s some belief he could see some work in the passing game, which could establish a decent floor for him in half and full-PPR leagues. Mitchell is an intriguing stash in fantasy leagues, but managers shouldn’t be rushing to put him in their starting lineups just yet.

Popper makes clear that RB Omarion Hampton will be an offensive centerpiece, but Mitchell should have his own helpful role as well. Mitchell will be involved in the passing game, at times lining up outside and getting involved “vertically” as a receiver. Mitchell will need to maximize his touches if he is going to warrant FLEX treatment as Hampton’s sidekick, and his health remains a question at the moment, as he deals with an undisclosed injury. On the plus side, Popper did not mention the ailment at all, which could be taken as a positive.

Popper fielded a question about Hampton’s top-10 chances as a guest on the Locked On Chargers show. The metrics for measuring this feat were left undefined, but rushing yardage or scrimmage yardage are the two most likely baselines. While OC Mike McDaniel has teased a potential hot-hand approach, Popper has remained steadfast in his stance that Hampton is set for bellcow duties thanks in part to speed, physicality and scheme versatility. He warrants RB1 treatment right out of the gate.

Tuipulotu, 24, led the Chargers with 70 quarterback pressures and 13 sacks last season. He is scheduled to enter free agency next offseason. According to Popper, the team would like to see Tuipulotu “do it again” before paying him like a top pass rusher. Tuipulotu has already proven himself. He totaled 40 quarterback pressures and nine sacks in 2024 and 51 quarterback pressures and eight sacks as a 2023 rookie. An in-season extension is possible.

As it was last year, Uiagalelei remains in town after losing the backup gig to Trey Lance. Also signed to Los Angeles’ practice squad are: LB Lander Barton, LB Andre Carter, DL Jahmeer Carter, LB Junior Colson, RB Gregory Desrosiers, WR Gary Jennings, RB Amar Johnson, C Josh Kaltenberger, DB Nikko Reed, WR Devonte Ross, TE Evan Svoboda, LB Nadame Tucker, T Laekin Vakalahi, DB Isas Waxter, DL Terry Webb, OLB Caleb Murphy and CB Kaiir Elam.

Herbert had initially chose to join the Jaguars squad after being a late cut by Jacksonville, but instead he’ll join his big brother Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. Nepotism doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.

Mitchell has been out of action for more than a week after experiencing a “minor setback” for an undisclosed injury. This could be a situation where we’re all left in the dark until the team is required to disclose injuries in the week leading up to Week 1, leaving fantasy managers to plan for contingencies. Any missed time from Mitchell would be a measurable boost to the weekly expectations of Omarion Hampton.