Chargers News: Rookie Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu Stands Out in Second Preseason Game, Wows Head Coach

Your Los Angeles Chargers were unable to complete the comeback against the New Orleans Saints in their second preseason game of the 2023 season. LA came up short 22-17 to give them a record of 1-1 in the preseason.

The team wasn't as sharp as they were against the Rams in Week 1, but also, certain things didn’t fall their way. There are no wins and losses that mean much in the preseason, you could only get better from these experiences, and that was certainly the case with rookie linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu.

The 20-year-old showed up and showed out in his second outing, garnering praise from his head coach Brandon Staley.

“He’s really instinctive,” Staley said of Tuipulotu. “He kind of knows where the plays are going before they happen. And then he’s really physical. This guy is going to come off and he’s going to dominate a tight end one-on-one. He’s proven that’s a mismatch, which is a good thing for an edge player. That’s what we’re looking for. And then he’s outstanding in the movement game. And then against the bigger O-linemen, he can strike and shed and win at the ball.”

(via The Athletic)

Tuli showed just how much of a force he will be for years to come. Check out what he was able to showcase in Sunday's match.

Tuli Tuipulotu is everywhere right now. @Chargers

📺: #NOvsLAC on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySUki pic.twitter.com/BTyb9oR74z
— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2023

Here is how he was able to get in the backfield with ease.

Chargers 2nd rounder Tuli Tuipulotu with the quick win in the run game against Saints 2022 first rounder Trevor Penning. Tuipulotu was one of the youngest players in this draft class pic.twitter.com/fcrfH5YbSC
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) August 21, 2023

Although the Bolts didn't come out with a win, it was nice to see many young defenders get their shine and show they can play a crucial role in 2023.

We'll see how they respond in their final preseason game and, hopefully, enter the regular season on a healthy note.