Chargers dump Lions as Herbert sits, Nikko Reed makes the game's biggest defensive play
Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions 34-7 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, the start of the NFL preseason, only Herbert and other starters didn't play.
Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei divided time at quarterback. Uiagalelei, Matayo's brother, came in at the start of the fourth quarter to complete 2-3 passes for 25 yards. Lance, the former No. 3 overall draft pick from North Dakota State, was 13-20 passing for 120 yards and two touchdowns as the game's starter.
With the score 7-0 Los Angeles midway through the first quarter, Pro Duck Nikko Reed stepped in front of a pass by Kyle Allen and returned it 60 yards down to the Lion 6. Kimani Vidal scored on a two-yard run two plays later to make it 14-0.
Nikko Reed's debut with unofficial numbers:
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) August 1, 2025
13 coverage snaps
Zero catches on three targets
One PBU, one INT
Coverage grade: 95.3
Three total tackles (including ST)
What a start for the Chargers UDFA pic.twitter.com/18a9XfcOr1
Former Ducks Jamaree Caldwell, Trikweze Bridges (a transfer to Florida in 2024) and Troy Dye logged time with the Charger defense. Caldwell made three tackles, all solo, a force in the middle for the L.A. front line. Bridges chipped in a pair and Dye one.
Teams have until August 27th to reduce their rosters from 90 down to the regular season league maximum of 53.
Dillon Gabriel appears to move ahead of Shedeur Sanders at Browns camp
Dillon Gabriel and the Cleveland Browns open the exhibition Friday August 8 with a game at Carolina, 4 p.m. PT on the NFL Network. Joe Flacco is expected to start, though Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders may get snaps in the second half. Sanders hasn't been receiving many first-team reps.
#Browns QB Dillon Gabriel compilation from Day 7 of training camp. pic.twitter.com/ZE0RElO2Xf
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) July 30, 2025
Veteran backup Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury this week and has been unable to practice, so for the time being the rotation is down to Flacco and the two rookies.
At training camp Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters,
"I think the big thing for me is putting our guys into position where we can evaluate them. I think they did a great job in the spring — all four of those guys. We'll continue to put them in some situations.
"But ultimately, we'd like to make a decision sooner than later."
Tank Jones commitment sets up daily practice battle
Mobile, Alabama five-star edge rusher Anthony "Tank" Jones committed to the Ducks Thursday, and an additional tremendous benefit of his decision is that he and five-star offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho and four-star tackle Tommy Tofi have three years to make each other better in practice.
After his commitment to the Ducks, 5-star Tank Jones talked about why Oregon:
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) July 31, 2025
"It's unique, it's different. It's far away, but it's a place where I can grow. I can be a better person, a better man; they can prepare me for life."https://t.co/PaWYDpGFmI