CHARGERS' TRAINING CAMP BATTLES

This won’t be one of those Chargers training camps with only limited competition. Some positions are set in stone — Hello, Justin Herbert. What’s up, Joey Bosa? More likely, though, there will be plenty of intriguing camp battles when the 2022Chargers take the field for the first time today.

No question, the Chargers will be better for it.

Here are the top three training camp battles to watch:

STARTING RIGHT TACKLE

Players: Storm Norton, Trey Pipkins III

Norton started 15games last season, but he didn’t have a good game in the Chargers’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in the win-or-go-home contest in Week 18. Pipkins was a third-round draft pick in 2019 and the Chargers have been content to watch him grow into a reliable starter. Pipkins spent part of the offseason working out with offensive line coach Duke Manyweather in Dallas, and the Chargers hope it pays big dividends beginning today. Shoring up a hole in the offensive line will go a long way to making Herbert an even greater threat to the opposition this season. The winner of this camp battle will carry a rather hefty burden on his shoulders once the season begins Sept. 11 against the Raiders at SoFi Stadium.

BACKUP RUNNING BACK

Players: Isaiah Spiller, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree III Spiller, a fourth-round draft pick, is expected to be the No. 2running back behind starter Austin Ekeler, who rushed for 911yards and scored 12touchdowns last season. Spiller was a 1,000-yard rusher in his sophomore and junior seasons at Texas A&M. The backup’s job has been a tough one to fill since Melvin Gordon III departed in 2020. Not only does Spiller need to rush the ball, but he also must serve as a quality blocker for Herbert. It’s not a one-dimensional job by any stretch of the imagination. The same must be said for Kelley and Rountree in their anticipated battle for the No. 3spot.

DEPTH EDGE RUSHER

Players: Kyle Van Noy, Chris Rumph II

The Chargers addressed their need to provide a better pass-rushing duo by acquiring Khalil Mack in the offseason. Bosa should receive slightly less attention than in the past simply because of Mack’s presence. But what happens if one or both of them go down with an injury? Who fills that important role? Van Noy could be the one who gives the Chargers a modicum of depth at the position. Van Noy also could play inside linebacker, though. Coach Brandon Staley has options when it comes to Van Noy. Rumph, a third-year pro who played in 16games last season, also could be used as an edge rusher in relief of the others. — Elliott Teaford