Tuli Tuipulotu's Tackles Accumulate for the Los Angeles Chargers

For the Los Angeles Chargers, second-year defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu has emerged as more than just a pass-rushing threat—he’s become a reliable force in run defense, with his tackle totals climbing steadily and making a tangible impact on the team’s defensive success. After a solid rookie season where he recorded 38 tackles, Tuipulotu has elevated his game in 2025, tallying 52 tackles through 12 weeks—already surpassing his 2024 total and ranking third among Chargers defensive linemen. What makes his tackle accumulation stand out is not just the quantity, but the quality: many of his stops come in high-leverage situations—short-yardage plays, red-zone stands, or third downs—that prevent opponents from extending drives. Tuli Tuipulotu's Tackles Accumulate for the Los Angeles Chargers explores the rhythm of his tackle production, the role he plays in the Chargers’ run defense, and why his consistency has become a cornerstone of the team’s defensive strategy.

Tuli Tuipulotu's Tackles Accumulate for the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the steady growth of his tackle totals—from a rotational rookie to a full-time starter—and how this reflects his increasing role in the Chargers’ defense. As a 2024 second-round pick, Tuipulotu started just 6 games, playing primarily in passing situations and recording an average of 3.2 tackles per game. In 2025, however, he’s started all 12 games, shifted to a more versatile role (lining up at defensive tackle and end), and boosted his per-game average to 4.3 tackles. This jump isn’t just due to more playing time; it’s a result of his improved technique and football IQ. “Tuli’s understanding of run fits has gotten so much better,” Chargers defensive line coach Giff Smith said. “As a rookie, he’d sometimes overpursue plays, but now he’s disciplined—he stays in his gap, reads the play quickly, and makes the tackle before the runner can break free.” A closer look at his game logs reveals consistency: he’s recorded 4+ tackles in 8 of 12 games, including a season-high 7 tackles in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. This reliability is crucial for the Chargers, who struggled with inconsistent run defense in 2024; with Tuipulotu anchoring the line, the team has dropped from 22nd to 14th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game.

A defining aspect of Tuipulotu’s tackle accumulation is his effectiveness in run defense—where his size, strength, and leverage allow him to plug gaps and stop runners at or behind the line of scrimmage. At 6’4” and 290 pounds, Tuipulotu has the frame to take on multiple offensive linemen, freeing up linebackers to make plays—but he’s also athletic enough to pursue runners to the sidelines. Through 12 weeks, 18 of his 52 tackles (35%) have been “stops” (tackles that result in no gain or a loss), including 7 tackles for loss—tied for the most among Chargers defensive linemen. One of his most impactful run stops came in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs: on third-and-1 from the Chargers’ 25-yard line, Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to run up the middle, but Tuipulotu shed the block of Chiefs guard Joe Thuney, wrapped up Pacheco’s legs, and dropped him for a 2-yard loss, forcing a punt. “That play summed up Tuli’s value in run defense,” Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks said. “He doesn’t just make tackles—he makes tackles that end drives. When an opponent is going for a first down in short yardage, we know Tuli is going to be in the middle of it, stopping them in their tracks.” Tuipulotu’s ability to win at the line of scrimmage has also reduced the number of “big runs” (10+ yards) the Chargers allow—from 3.1 per game in 2024 to 2.2 per game in 2025.

Tuli Tuipulotu's Tackles Accumulate for the Los Angeles Chargers also includes his tackle production in critical games—moments where his stops have turned the tide and helped the Los Angeles Chargers secure key wins. In the Chargers’ Week 9 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills, Tuipulotu recorded 6 tackles, including a crucial stop in the fourth quarter that prevented the Bills from scoring a go-ahead touchdown. With the Bills facing first-and-goal from the Chargers’ 5-yard line, Bills quarterback Josh Allen handed off to running back James Cook; Tuipulotu fought through a double team, reached Cook, and dropped him for a 1-yard gain. The Bills ultimately settled for a field goal, keeping the game tied and allowing the Chargers to win in overtime. “That tackle in the red zone was huge,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game. “If Cook scores there, the Bills take the lead, and the game might end differently. Tuli stepped up when we needed him most—that’s what great players do.” Another key performance came in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders: Tuipulotu recorded 5 tackles, 2 of which came on third down, helping the Chargers hold the Raiders to 10 points and win 24-10. For the Los Angeles Chargers, these clutch tackles aren’t just statistics—they’re game-changers that have helped the team improve to 7-5 and stay in the playoff hunt.

Another important angle of Tuipulotu’s tackle accumulation is how his tackling complements the Chargers’ defensive scheme—freeing up teammates to make plays and creating a more balanced unit for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers run a 4-3 defense that relies on defensive linemen to occupy blockers, allowing linebackers like Kendricks and Kenneth Murray Jr. to flow to the ball. Tuipulotu excels at this role: he often takes on two offensive linemen, creating gaps for linebackers to make tackles. This “gap control” has been a key factor in the Chargers’ improved linebacker production—Kendricks has recorded 89 tackles in 2025, up from 72 in 2024. “Tuli makes my job easier every week,” Kendricks said. “When he’s taking on two blockers, I can focus on reading the play and making the tackle. He doesn’t get the credit for my tackles, but he should—he’s the reason I’m able to make them.” Tuipulotu’s tackle production also helps on passing downs: even when he doesn’t sack the quarterback, his ability to tackle runners who leak out of the backfield (on screen passes or checkdowns) prevents easy gains. In Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, he recorded a tackle on a screen pass to Bears running back Khalil Herbert, stopping him for a 2-yard gain on third-and-5 and forcing a punt. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this versatility—being able to tackle in both run and passing situations—makes Tuipulotu a valuable asset in all defensive packages.

Finally, Tuli Tuipulotu's Tackles Accumulate for the Los Angeles Chargers wraps up with the long-term value of his consistent tackle production—and what it means for the future of the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense. At just 23 years old, Tuipulotu is part of a young core of defensive players (including safety Derwin James Jr. and cornerback Jakorian Bennett) that the Chargers hope to build around for the next decade. His ability to accumulate tackles year over year—while also improving his pass-rushing (he has 5 sacks in 2025, up from 4 in 2024)—shows he’s not a one-dimensional player. “Tuli’s growth as a tackler is a sign of his maturity as a player,” Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said. “Great defensive linemen don’t just rush the passer—they stop the run, and they do it consistently. Tuli is becoming that kind of player. For the Los Angeles Chargers, having a young, consistent tackle machine on the defensive line is a foundation for long-term success.” Looking ahead, Tuipulotu is on pace to finish the 2025 season with around 70 tackles—an impressive number for a defensive lineman—and could challenge for Pro Bowl honors if he maintains his current level of play. His tackle accumulation isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s a reflection of the Chargers’ defensive resurgence and a sign that the team is building a unit capable of competing for a Super Bowl. Tuli Tuipulotu's Tackles Accumulate for the Los Angeles Chargers ultimately shows that in football, tackles may not always be as glamorous as sacks or interceptions—but they’re the backbone of a strong defense, and Tuipulotu is quickly becoming one of the best in the NFL at making them.