It was only one preseason game, so there is no reason to get carried away with what happened against the Houston Texans. Still, the Los Angeles Chargers gave Justin Herbert another reason to be excited about the weapons he could have around him once the regular season begins.
One player in particular stood out.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith had an impressive preseason opener, finishing with four receptions for 58 yards while showing off the speed and big-play ability that made him an intriguing addition to the Chargers. He also nearly came down with an even bigger play on a deep pass that slipped through his hands after he got behind the defense.
That is exactly the type of development the Chargers would love to see.
There are already plenty of expectations surrounding the receiver room. Ladd McConkey is coming off a disappointing 2025 season by his standards and should be looking to bounce back. Quentin Johnston is also entering a season where expectations are high after showing significant improvement last year. Tre’ Harris is another young receiver who could have a larger role in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
But what if Lambert-Smith can become another legitimate option?
That would be huge for Herbert.
The Chargers don’t necessarily need every receiver on the roster to become a star. They need players who can consistently win their matchups, create separation and force defenses to account for them. Lambert-Smith has the speed to stretch a defense vertically and McDaniel’s offense should give him opportunities to use it.
The Chargers have already talked about the amount of speed they have at receiver. Lambert-Smith ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, while Brenen Thompson has also impressed with his elite speed. Derius Davis gives the team another explosive option.
That kind of depth could make life much easier for Herbert.
Think about what a defense has to deal with if McConkey is getting open underneath, Johnston is making plays on the outside, Harris is developing into a reliable option and Lambert-Smith is capable of taking the top off the defense. Add in the speed that Thompson and Davis bring and suddenly there are a lot of players who can create problems.
Of course, Lambert-Smith still has plenty to prove. One preseason game doesn’t guarantee anything, especially when many of the Texans’ starters weren’t playing. But his performance was encouraging and it is exactly what the Chargers want to see from a young receiver fighting for a roster spot and playing time.
The best part is that Herbert hasn’t even had to show what he can do with this entire group yet.
If McConkey and Johnston have the seasons many expect them to have and players like Lambert-Smith can emerge as legitimate contributors, Herbert could have one of the deepest groups of weapons of his career.
And that should have Chargers fans pretty excited too.