The Chargers opened the preseason with a 27-7 road win over the Houston Texans on Thursday night, but Brenen Thompson’s debut gave fans something else to watch.
The rookie wide receiver finished with two catches for 30 yards on six targets. That yardage total ranked fifth on the team, and it’s the kind of start Thompson will want to build on if he gets another chance next week.
He also got involved on special teams, returning one punt for 12 yards and flashing the speed that could give the Chargers another weapon during the 2026 season if they find the right ways to use him.
Thompson looked ready for the NFL stage at times, but he never really separated himself from the pack. That said, Los Angeles did not play all of its starters, so the offense was not exactly in full gear either.
Most of Thompson’s snaps came with backup quarterback Trey Lance, and that pairing produced a mix of positives and negatives. Both of Thompson’s receptions came from Lance, which was encouraging. But Lance’s interception also came on a throw aimed at Thompson, and that sequence did not help the rookie’s case.
Thompson entered the game as Quentin Johnston’s backup on the first unofficial depth chart of the season, so he’s already in a useful spot. Still, the Chargers likely want more before they feel comfortable locking that in.
What happens next week will be worth tracking. Thompson’s response in practice and in the Chargers’ preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday should tell a lot about where he stands.
There’s also the bigger question of how Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel handle the starters. Justin Herbert is the name to watch, both for whether he plays on Thursday and for what he might look like alongside Thompson.
Herbert’s deep-ball ability and accuracy could be a strong fit for Thompson’s speed. If the two get a chance to work together, Thompson could use that opportunity to show he can be an explosive piece of the offense and quiet the concern from his preseason opener.
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