Tuli Tuipulotu: Everything you need to know

Tuipulotu record two tackles (two solo) and 1.0 sacks in the 16-3 wild-card loss to the Patriots on Sunday. One of the biggest breakouts of the entire 2025 season, the third-year pass rusher built upon his excellent campaign with a first-half sack of Drake Maye. The 2023 second-round pick had quietly become one of the team's most important players last year, but Tuipulotu took it to another level (13.0 sacks) in his third season emerging as comfortably the team's most consistent pass rusher even despite Khalil Mack missing five games this year. The 24-year-old will enter the final year of his rookie contract next year and figures to be a candidate for a massive extension this offseason.

Tuipulotu (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Denver. Tuipulotu will join multiple key starters on the sidelines for Sunday's regular-season finale as the Chargers gear up for their postseason run. Bud Dupree, Odafe Oweh and Kyle Kennard are in line to see more defensive snaps in the absence of Tuipulotu, who will end the 2025 regular season with 49 tackles (35 solo), including a career-high 13.0 sacks, three pass defenses, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery across 16 games.

Tuipulotu registered four tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery during the Chargers' 34-17 win over the Cowboys on Sunday. Tuipulotu got to Dak Prescott for a six-yard sack on the final play of the first half, and the former scooped up his first fumble of the season late in the fourth. Tuipulotu has accumulated 5.0 sacks across the four games since the Chargers' Week 12 bye, and his 13.0 sacks (across 15 regular-season games) are tied with Danielle Hunter for third most in the NFL behind Myles Garrett (22.0) and Brian Burns (15.0). Tuipulotu will look to add to his total against the Texans on Saturday, who are dealing with injuries to starting offensive tackles Aireontae Ersery (hand) and Trent Brown (knee).