Tre' Harris, Justin Herbert chemistry takes big step in Chargers rookie's breakout practice

New York Times

2 days ago

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Tre' Harris' rookie training camp has been somewhat of a slow build.
The second-round pick reported late for camp while his representation ironed out his contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The rest of the rookies reported July 12. Harris missed the opening practice of camp and did not take the field until July 18.
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Harris flashed at times in his first 11 practices, but he had not yet put together a breakout day. That changed Sunday. With Ladd McConkey sitting out his third straight practice, Harris was quarterback Justin Herbert's go-to target on multiple third-down snaps for the starting offense.
Herbert and Harris connected for three third-down conversions on the day — two in seven-on-seven and one in 11-on-11. In total, Harris caught four of his five targets from Herbert. The chemistry is starting to percolate, as Harris has grown more comfortable and familiar with Herbert's style of play.
'It honestly just tells you to win on every route,' Harris said of playing with Herbert. 'One thing about him I've learned is that he's constantly surveying the field, and you might think, 'Oh, I have a run-off route right here, I could ease up.' But he's actually looking at you to get open, and he might see something that you don't see in the back end. So it's really just taught me to win every route that I'm running because you never know when that ball is going to come, and nine times out of 10, he's going to put it right on the money.'
The first conversion reception Sunday came on a third-and-7 in seven-on-seven. Harris came open on a deep crossing route, and Herbert fit a throw into a tight window. Cornerback Tarheeb Still drove on the route from his zone, but Harris made the catch through contact. Three plays later, the starting offense faced a third-and-5. Harris found a soft spot against zone coverage on another crossing route, and Herbert hit him in stride.
Harris' best catch of the day came on a third-and-5 in 11-on-11. Harris was matched up on the outside against rookie cornerback Nikko Reed. Harris ran a go route down the right sideline. Herbert threw to Harris' back shoulder. Harris saw Herbert's ball placement, slowed his route and made a smooth adjustment. He caught the pass before getting both feet inbounds for an explosive gain.
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Harris also had a catch from Herbert in 11-on-11 off play action, screaming wide open across the field on a dig route.
'He continues to kind of blow my mind, just the throws he makes on the field,' Harris said of Herbert. 'He's not scared to go into that gunslinger mode and fit it into a tight hole.'
Though Harris was practicing throughout the spring, he did miss valuable time at the start of camp. When asked about the holdout Saturday, Harris said, 'I hired an agent for a reason.'
'I don't know too much about the whole situation,' he added. 'I just let that be what it is and be what it be. I got out there and I'm here to just play ball. I'm not here to worry about contracts and stuff like that. Let the businesspeople handle that and go do what I got to do on the field.'
Now he is doing what he needs to do on the field. The next step will be making plays in game action. He was held without a catch in the Hall of Fame Game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.
Harris has watched fellow rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith emerge as one of the most consistent playmakers for the Chargers in camp. Lambert-Smith, whom the Chargers drafted in the fifth round, caught two passes for 43 yards and a touchdown Thursday night.
This is a tight receiver competition. Lambert-Smith and Harris, who have grown close since they were drafted together in April, are potentially battling for starter snaps. Harris said he and Lambert-Smith have been rooming together.
More practices like Sunday's will help Harris keep stride with Lambert-Smith.
'I'm just ready to keep going,' Harris said.
coach likes what he sees pic.twitter.com/SPuTaJHQol
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 3, 2025
• Edge rusher Caleb Murphy is making a strong case for the 53-man roster. He continues to play on the first-team special teams units. Sunday, he was on first-team kickoff and first-team punt. Murphy had a solid showing in Thursday's preseason opener. He had two run stops and two pressures as a pass rusher. He also contributed to a forced fumble on the opening kickoff of the game.
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The big question: Where does Murphy's ascension leave fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard? Kennard did not practice Sunday. He has shown up as a physical run defender. But Kennard has yet to flash as a pass rusher in camp.
The Chargers' top three edge rushers are set: Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree. Dupree had two sacks in Sunday's practice. Kennard had a clear path to being the Chargers' fourth edge rusher heading into camp. But Murphy's presence on special teams is undeniable.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said Sunday that 'it's possible' the Chargers would keep five edge rushers on the 53-man roster.
Minter also acknowledged Kennard is 'still kind of figuring out the best way for him to rush.'
• Second-year receiver Brenden Rice had perhaps his best training camp practice in a Chargers uniform Sunday. He caught two touchdowns in 11-on-11. The first came in a situational red zone drill. The second-team offense, led by quarterback Trey Lance, faced a second-and-goal from the 5-yard line with 12 seconds on the clock. On the first snap, Lance attempted a fade to receiver Dalevon Campbell. Campbell nearly made an impressive one-handed catch, but he ran out of room in the end zone.
That set up a third down with seven seconds remaining. Lance attempted another fade, this one to Rice. Rice jumped over cornerback Deane Leonard and made a contested catch for the touchdown.
Later in practice, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei connected with Rice on a deep-shot touchdown. Rice ran a post. Uiagalelei threw into double coverage, and Rice came down with the reception in between safety Kendall Williamson and cornerback Eric Rogers.
Rice also had a conversion reception on a third-and-6 from Taylor Heinicke. Rice ran an out route. Heinicke's throw came in behind Rice, who adjusted to make the catch.
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• Chargers who did not practice Sunday: McConkey, right guard Mekhi Becton, Kennard, linebacker Denzel Perryman, linebacker Junior Colson, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, safety Jaylen Jones, defensive lineman Josh Fuga, receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, receiver Jalen Reagor.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Saturday that McConkey and Becton are dealing with 'extremely minor' injuries. McConkey participated in walk-through Sunday but then worked off to the side once practice began. Becton was not on the field, and he has not practiced since July 28.
• The first-team offensive line for Sunday's practice: LT Rashawn Slater, LG Bradley Bozeman, C Zion Johnson, RG Jamaree Salyer, RT Joe Alt.
• Herbert was excellent in the deep part of the field Sunday. On top of the back-shoulder throw to Harris, Herbert also completed explosive passes to tight end Oronde Gasden, receiver Derius Davis and receiver Jaylen Johnson. Johnson's reception went for a 55-yard touchdown down the seam.
• Defensive lineman Teair Tart had a tackle for loss against the first-team offense. He shot a gap and tagged off running back Omarion Hampton in the backfield.
• Edge rusher Tre'Mon Morris-Brash had a sack in 11-on-11.
• Running back Najee Harris, who remains on the non-football injury list after injuring his eye in a July 4 fireworks accident, is making some progress in his attempted return. Sunday, he had his helmet on while he did walking laps around the practice field.
• The first-team offense faced the first-team defense in a situational red zone drill. The offense took over at the 10-yard line with 18 seconds on the clock. On first-and-goal, Herbert hit Hampton on an angle route out of the backfield. He was marked down 3 yards short of the goal line. The offense then rushed to the line to spike the ball. The clock stopped with seven seconds remaining. On third-and-goal, Herbert tried to hit Lambert-Smith on an in-breaking route in the back of the end zone. Cornerback Donte Jackson was in tight coverage and forced the incompletion.
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The defense had six defensive backs on the field for the start of this drill: Jackson, Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still, Elijah Molden, Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman. Reed, fresh off his interception Thursday night, joined the first-team defense later in this series.
Reed has been a playmaker so far in camp.
'I've proved that I belong,' Reed said.
(Photo of Tre' Harris: Eric Thayer / Associated Press)