What Recent Chargers Training Camp Practices Mean for Week 1

Day 11 of Los Angeles Chargers training camp is in the books. While Monday's practice wasn't anything special, due to it being a walkthrough day, it still gave us another look at the direction the team is heading.

The first preseason game against the Houston Texans is less than a week away and the Chargers are getting a clearer picture of what they will possibly look like when the season starts.

Even with it being a slow practice, there are a few developments that Chargers fans should pay attention to.

Rashawn Slater Status

During the first padded practice of the year, Rashawn Slater went to the medical tent on 11-on-11 drills. He returned briefly and was seen after practice doing routine activities, but he has now missed three consecutive practices.

The Chargers haven't disclosed what exactly went wrong, however you have to think how serious it could have been. Slater missed all of the 2025 season with a torn left patellar tendon, which hurt the Chargers offensive line immensely.

It seems like they are taking precautionary measures as of recent, making sure no further damage is done. Trying to ease the Pro Bowl tackle back into action. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned to reporters that Slater was taking a rest day on Saturday, but have not been told what the reason for the last two days is.

Left Guard Battle Continues

The Chargers have plenty to figure out when it comes to the left guard position with the first game of the season lurking around the corner. As of Monday's practice, the position is still wide open for anybody to take.

Second-year Branson Taylor and former Detroit Lion Kayode Awosika appear to be the frontrunners of the competition. Splitting the first-team reps almost every practice, these two have impressed the coaching staff early on. Despite neither being viewed as the obvious favorite when the competition began, these guys have really shown what they are capable of in 2026.

Honorable mentions in the race for the starting position are Jake Slaughter, Trevor Penning and Trey Pipkins, who have also impressed at times during camp, and are still in the race for that number one spot at left guard.

On Monday courtesy of Chargers.com, the Bolts' offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel stated, "No one's eliminated themselves from the tournament". To me, it's their position to lose or win. Meaning, making no mistakes and being as sharp as possible on a regular basis

At this point in preseason, the Chargers will have to start making decisions in all aspects of the team. As each day passes, new situations occur that can affect the whole season, starting with Week 1.

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