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Chargers training camp: 5 players who need to stand out
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- Chargers training camp: 5 players who need to stand out
The Chargers head into the 2026 season expected to be a playoff-caliber team (at worst).
The Bolts are coming off yet another 11-6 season that saw their season end in the Wild Card round. With a retooled team on both sides of the ball, the Chargers are expected to break through and reach new heights the franchise has never experienced.
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The roster features massive upgrades across the board, with most starting jobs seemingly already locked up. However, there are still a handful of players whose training camp performance could determine their role this season.
For them, a strong camp could be the difference between earning meaningful playing time or seeing limited opportunities this fall.
Here are five Charger players who need a standout training camp.
EDGE Bud Dupree
Dupree, the 12-year veteran, is a prime salary-cap cut candidate. With first-round pick Akheem Mesidor arriving and 2025 fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard and undrafted rookie Nadame Tucker pushing for a role, Dupree needs a dominant camp to avoid being released.
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OL Jake Slaughter
Slaughter, the second-round rookie, exclusively played center at Florida and is now projected to make the switch to left guard. Because he has never played the position, he faces a high-stakes camp battle against veterans Kayode Awosika and Trevor Penning to secure the job.
LB Junior Colson
After missing the entire 2025 season with a shoulder injury, the former Michigan standout faces a pivotal camp. He has the talent to push for a starting job next to Daiyan Henley , but a weak camp could put him at risk of missing the 53-man cut entirely.
TE David Njoku
The Chargers signed Njoku to upgrade the tight end position, but he'll have to prove he's still the same player who made him a Pro Bowler in Cleveland. The 2025 season was not kind to Njoku due to injuries and unstable quarterback play. He'll also be competing for targets in a room that includes Oronde Gadsden and Charlie Kolar .
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WR Derius Davis
Davis dealt with lingering knee and ankle issues last year, which severely hindered the Chargers' return unit. Now healthy, he faces pressure from other players like Keaton Mitchell and Brenen Thompson, who could be actively pushing to steal his return duties.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers training camp: 5 players who need to stand out
