The Los Angeles Chargers have bolstered their defensive line by selecting Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell with the 86th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Caldwell, a 6-foot-2, 332-pound defensive tackle, established himself as a formidable force during his single season at Oregon. Originally starting his collegiate career as an offensive lineman, he transitioned to defensive tackle, earning all-Big Ten honorable mention honors for his outstanding performance.

Although Caldwell did not register any sacks last season, he generated 20 quarterback pressures and demonstrated his run-stopping prowess with a Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 81.6. For the 2024 season, he recorded 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and contributed significantly to the Ducks' defensive success, freeing up his teammates to make plays on the edge.

The Los Angeles Chargers are poised to welcome back their leading rusher, J.K. Dobbins, for their upcoming game against the New England Patriots. Dobbins, who has been sidelined for four games due to a knee injury, participated fully in practice and is currently listed as questionable for the match. His return is particularly crucial as fellow running back Gus Edwards has been ruled out due to an ankle injury, which he sustained during last week's victory over the Denver Broncos and aggravated in practice.

Initially expected to create a formidable duo, the Chargers' running game has struggled in Dobbins' absence, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry and failing to surpass 100 rushing yards in four consecutive games. Dobbins, prior to his injury, had amassed 766 yards and eight touchdowns, putting him on track to become the team's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2017. The Chargers' rushing performance improved last week, breaking a streak of underwhelming outings with a total of 117 yards, highlighted by Edwards' impressive 43-yard run.

As the Chargers sit at 9-6 and aim for a playoff berth, the return of Dobbins has lifted team morale, with center Bradley Bozeman expressing excitement about Dobbins' performance in practice. However, the offensive line will face challenges, as starting right guard Trey Pipkins III is out due to a hip injury, necessitating Jamaree Salyer's promotion to the starting role. Additionally, linebacker Denzel Perryman is also missing due to a groin injury, and several other players are listed as questionable for the game.

The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to rebound quickly after a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they prepare for a critical AFC West matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter emphasizes the need for improvement, particularly in third-down conversions, after a rough performance. Safety Derwin James Jr. stresses the importance of player accountability.

With playoff implications on the line, the Chargers must contain rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has shown promise in recent games.

The Los Angeles Chargers face challenges on their offensive line, particularly in the interior, prompting a benching of a starter and the initiation of competition among players. With the Kansas City Chiefs potentially losing elite guard Trey Smith to free agency, the Chargers may see an opportunity to strengthen their lineup.

Smith is expected to become one of the highest-paid guards in the NFL, which could lead the Chargers to pursue him. With significant cap space available, they are likely to target an interior lineman to bolster their offensive line.

The Cincinnati Bengals showcased their offensive prowess against the Baltimore Ravens, amassing 470 yards, with Ja’Marr Chase catching three touchdowns and Joe Burrow achieving season highs in completions and passing yards.

As the Bengals prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers, they may welcome back Tee Higgins, adding to their formidable passing game. The Chargers, boasting a top-ranked defense, aim to extend their winning streak while managing injuries in their secondary.

This prime-time matchup at SoFi Stadium promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams vie for playoff positioning.