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Chargers Edge Tuli Tuipulotu In Full Pads, Making Plays

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Tuli Tuipulotu #45 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chargers pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu has had a slow ramp-up period to begin training camp. He has mainly partook in individual drills before working off to the side with trainers. It has been everyone’s guess on whether or not this was due to a physical ailment or if Tuli has not been comfortable with putting his body on the line just ahead of his presumed upcoming extension.

Those questions may not be put bed — at least somewhat — after Tuipulotu took the field with his teammates on Thursday in full pads. But Tuli didn’t just take the field, he has been a participant in every phase, including team drills where he made one of the first big splash plays of the day for the defense.

Per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, Tuli blew up a run by Omarion Hampton and was rewarded with massive cheers from the crowd in attendance.

Chargers are in full pads for the first time today and Tuli Tuipulotu is participating in team drills again. He just blew up an Omarion Hampton run that drew roars from the defense.

— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) August 6, 2026

Tuipulotu is coming off a breakout season that saw him rack up 13 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, both of which topped his previous career highs of 8.5 and 11, respectively. Entering his fourth season, expectations remain high as the team’s top pass rusher who will now be joined by first-round pick Akheem Mesidor to create one heck of a trio with Khalil Mack.