The Chargers made a clean statement to open their 2026 preseason, rolling past the Texans 27-7 at Reliant Stadium.
A fourth-quarter touchdown from DJ Uiagalelei to Devonte Ross put the game firmly out of reach. The two hooked up on a three-yard score with a little more than 10 minutes left, and the play finished off a sequence sparked by undrafted rookie linebacker Lander Barton’s fumble recovery. That pushed Los Angeles to a 27-7 lead and all but sealed the opener.
The quarterback picture was one of the main takeaways, and Trey Lance and Uiagalelei gave very different answers. Lance got the first shot at making his case as Justin Herbert’s top backup, but his night was uneven. He threw for 164 yards, dealt with some turnover-prone decisions, and was picked off once on the way to a 65.4 passer rating.
Uiagalelei, meanwhile, looked sharp and efficient. He completed passes for 120 yards and delivered the touchdown strike to Ross, which gave him the clearer edge in the battle.
The ground game also delivered plenty to like. Amar Johnson scored twice on the ground and ripped off a 55-yard catch, finishing as the team’s leader in total yards. KeAndre Lambert-Smith kept the offense moving with a team-best four receptions, while tight end Johnny Pascuzzi added three catches for 39 yards and continued to look like a dependable target.
There were encouraging signs up front as well. Rookie Jake Slaughter started at center, but his work at left guard stood out most.
He held up in pass protection, handled stunts well, and showed enough movement at the second level to matter in the run game. Branson Taylor also got work at left guard and at both tackle spots, and he flashed in pass protection.
Kayode Awosika started at right guard but barely saw the field, which may say plenty about the left guard job being there for the taking.
Defensively, Chris O'Leary’s group settled in fast after giving up an opening-drive touchdown. From there, the unit forced three turnovers, held the Texans to five punts, and didn’t allow another point.
The pressure came from multiple spots. Jahmeer Carter recorded a sack, while TeRah Edwards and Jacobian Guillory II both showed up inside.
Avery Smith broke up a pass and added a tackle for loss. Kendall Williamson and Emany Johnson each made a stop behind the line as open-field tacklers, and Barton’s fumble recovery rounded out a productive night for the defense.
On special teams, Derius Davis remains the frontrunner to handle punt returns, but the Chargers also gave punts to Brenen Thompson, Luke Grimm, and Devonte Ross.
The Chargers now head back to practice before returning to SoFi Stadium for their second preseason game against the 49ers on Thursday, August 20.
In Other News...
Chargers Rookie Brenen Thompson Just Raised A Tough Roster Question
The Chargers opened the preseason with a win over the Texans, and rookie wideout Brenen Thompson did enough to get noticed in a crowded receiver room. He finished with two catches for 30 yards and added a 12-yard punt return, showing the kind of speed and versatility that can matter for a young player trying to carve out a role before the games count.
Even so, Thompsons night was uneven, with most of his work coming alongside backup quarterback Trey Lance and a rough moment that underscored how quickly roster evaluations can swing. He is being used as a reserve option behind Quentin Johnston on the unofficial depth chart, and performances like this only sharpen the question the Chargers now have to answer: whether Thompsons big-play potential is enough to keep him in the mix as the roster starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Preseason Win Put Several Roster Battles Into Sharp Focus
The Chargers preseason win over the Texans offered exactly the kind of look a coaching staff wants in August, with most starters parked on the sideline while younger players and roster hopefuls handled the heavy lifting. In a 27-7 result that was more about evaluation than the scoreboard, the depth on the defensive line held up well and a few fringe players found a way to make themselves part of the conversation.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith was one of the more noticeable pass-catching options as the receivers battled for attention, and the quarterback picture stayed murky behind him. Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei each had their moments, but neither turned the night into a clean separation in the backup race, leaving the Chargers with more tape to study and a few important decisions still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Offensive Line Just Changed The Feel Of This Season
The Chargers got an early look at a position battle worth watching in their preseason opener against the Texans, and the offensive line came away with something close to validation. Even without their top offensive players on the field, Los Angeles handled the run game well and outgained Houston, a small but meaningful sign that the group may be deeper and more stable than it looked a year ago.
Jake Slaughter added to that sense of competition by moving between center and left guard, showing the kind of versatility that can keep a young lineman in the mix. Kayode Awosika also helped his case by posting the highest offensive PFF grade among Chargers players, and with the left guard job still unsettled, this is the sort of performance that can quietly change the tone around a season before the games really count. [Read more 🡒]