The Chargers will report to training camp July 29 and begin practice July 30. In the U-T’s breakdown of positional units, today’s group is the running backs.

Players: Danny Woodhead, Melvin Gordon, Branden Oliver, Dreamius Smith, Kenneth Farrow, FB Chris Swain, FB Derek Watt.

Top player: Woodhead, who has a strong bond with Philip Rivers, is an established performer who’s trusted on third downs, in the red zone and in the no-huddle offense. The 31-year-old sprained an ankle June 15 but is expected to be ready for training camp.

Chargers Training Camp Preview

Rounding out the rotation: Gordon, said LaDainian Tomlinson in December, will rebound from an uneven rookie season. Following microfracture knee surgery Jan. 5, the 2015 first-round draftee took part in spring camp and is expected to be back to 100 percent in training camp.


Oliver, the team’s leading rusher in 2014 as an undrafted rookie, was fluid and quick at recent practices in his return from a season-ending toe injury.

Smith, undrafted out of West Virginia in 2015, spent last season on the practice squad. At 225 pounds, he’s the heaviest tailback on the roster and also has lined up at fullback.

An undrafted rookie, the 219-pound Farrow was a three-time captain for the Houston Cougars.

The presence of the 234-pound Watt, a sixth-round draftee and former Wisconsin teammate of Gordon’s, and the 249-pound Swain, a rookie graduate of the Naval Academy, point toward the Chargers keeping a fullback for the first time since slimmed-down veteran Le’Ron McClain stuck in 2013.


The Whisenhunt factor: Chargers players say offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt’s return bodes well for the ground game and Gordon in particular. In Whisenhunt’s other season with San Diego, running back Ryan Mathews got his career back on track and led the Bolts down the stretch to a playoff berth.