We are getting a first piece of live 2025 NFL action this Thursday as preseason returns with the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, featuring the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers. Here are five players to watch as both teams take the field on Thursday night.
Five Players To Watch In the Hall of Fame Preseason Game
5. OL Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions
Tate Ratledge will need to be a key piece of the Lions’ offensive line success for 2025. During the offseason, All-Pro center Frank Ragnow retired, leaving a massive hole at the center position, and the Lions will give Ratledge every chance to earn the starting center role. It will be the first time Ratledge will get a hold of the position, as he primarily played guard at the University of Georgia.
Detroit has had a top-five graded offensive line each of the last three seasons, and if the Lions want to accomplish their goals, their line will need to stay ranked highly.
4. WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, LA Chargers
KeAndre Lambert-Smith was a fifth-round pick for the Chargers out of Auburn University after previously playing for Penn State University. Lambert-Smith has been turning heads in Chargers training camp and receiving rave reviews from the reporters watching the team practice. Jim Harbaugh has said that Lambert-Smith has been “on fire” in training camp practices and that he is “surging.”
KeAndre Lambert-Smith blowing by the coveragepic.twitter.com/DYHa9kZIaq
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) July 28, 2025
The Chargers are lacking a clear-cut option as the second receiver behind last year’s standout Ladd McConkey. They want third-year receiver Quentin Johnston to take command of the wide receiver two spot; however, if Lambert-Smith and Harris continue to rise in camp, there will certainly be discussions about who the second option will be.
3.WR Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions
The Lions’ selection of Isaac TeSlaa in the third round of the 2025 draft was one of the more surprising picks of the draft. Detroit traded two third-round picks in 2026 to move up to pick number 70 to take TeSlaa out of Arkansas. The big-framed wide receiver will be competing for the starting outside receiver role, and while TeSlaa’s production was limited in college, the Lions believe his best football is ahead of him.
TeSlaa has already been making plans in camp, and his combination of size and speed will be helpful to the Lions’ offense this season if he can carve out a role.
2. WR Tre Harris, LA Chargers
Tre Harris was a second-round pick by the Chargers to add another playmaker on the outside for Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert. Scouts touted Harris for his playmaking ability and separation while he was a standout at Ole Miss in the fall of 2024.
Harris only played in six games his last season in college, and had he played a few more games, he likely would have been a first-round pick. Since Harris will be someone the Chargers plan to depend on this season, it is unclear how much time he will see in the game on Thursday, but Harris will definitely be a playmaker to watch while he is out there.
1. RB Omarion Hampton, LA Chargers
Omarion Hampton was the second running back drafted in the 2025 draft. He will instantly give the Chargers a threat in the backfield who can make plays both in the run and passing game. The backfield in the LA is currently wide open after Najee Harris, who was signed in the offseason, was involved in a fireworks issue a couple of weeks ago.
Hampton could easily be one of the best rookie running backs in the league this season, and it would surprise no one. A solid running game will do wonders for Herbert, and Hampton has what it takes to make plays in the Chargers ‘ backfield.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
