EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh announced Thursday that starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Herbert will play one or two series, Harbaugh said. All the offensive starters will play, according to Harbaugh, though that is unlikely to include right guard Mekhi Becton, who has not practiced since July 28. Harbaugh said edge rusher Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James are the only starters on defense who will not play.
“Our guys want to play,” Harbaugh said. “They want the first series of the season not to be the first series of the season.”
The starters need these reps after Harbaugh canceled a scheduled joint practice with the Rams this week. Herbert said he approached Harbaugh about playing in the preseason. The original plan was for Herbert to play against the New Orleans Saints, but that changed when Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending knee injury.
“At the end of the day, nothing is the same as a live pass rush and being out there and actually getting tackled,” Herbert said.
The starters will play about six to eight snaps, according to Harbaugh. After that, players further down the depth chart will continue battling for roster spots. And there is plenty to still work out.
As the Chargers prepare for their third preseason game, here is a projection for the team’s 53-man roster.
Quarterbacks (2)
Justin Herbert, Trey Lance
Who’s out: Taylor Heinicke, DJ Uiagalelei
Two or three quarterbacks? The answer to that feels like it will make or break the projection this year. Lance has played very well in two preseason games. He injured his throwing hand Saturday against the Saints, and he sat out of team drills Tuesday and Wednesday. But Lance, who has been wearing a black brace on his right hand this week, was back in team drills Thursday. Harbaugh said Thursday he had not yet decided who would replace Herbert between Lance and Heinicke.
Heinicke brings far more experience. Lance brings far more upside, and he has displayed really sound and consistent decision making, particularly in the preseason games. I think Lance is ahead of Heinicke at this stage of camp. If Lance wins the job, Heinicke would become expendable. The Chargers could look to trade him. Roster machinations would come into play in this scenario. The Chargers could keep Heinicke through cutdown day as they try to find a trade partner. Remember, the Atlanta Falcons kept Heinicke on their roster through cutdown day in 2024, and that effectively forced the Chargers to give up draft capital to trade for him. Right now, though, I think the Chargers need to use this spot elsewhere. If that means losing Heinicke for nothing, then so be it.
Running backs (4)
Omarion Hampton, Hassan Haskins, Raheim Sanders, Kimani Vidal
Who’s out: Jaret Patterson, Nyheim Miller-Hines
Other: Najee Harris (on NFI)
The first domino when formulating this room is Harris. Will he remain on the non-football injury list to begin the season? Harris, who injured his eye in a July 4 fireworks accident, has not practiced so far in camp. Harris has shown progress this week, going through football drills off to the side of practice. But I have not seen nearly enough progress at this point to think he will be ready for Week 1. That could change. For now, I am predicting that he starts the season on NFI, which means he would not count toward the 53-man and would be forced to miss the first four games of the season. Haskins, Sanders and Vidal have all run well in the preseason. Haskins is a core-four special-teamer. Vidal has shown some growth on special teams, and he has been fixture on the first-team punt unit.
Fullback (1)
Scott Matlock
Matlock has continued to play on both sides of the ball this camp, in practices and preseason games. I think a majority of his role in 2025 will be on offense, while he will provide rotational depth on defense — similar to last season. Matlock played 362 offensive snaps and 137 defensive snaps in 2024. Matlock has flashed on both offense and defense. He rushed well in the Saints game along the defensive line. No one has really challenged him for the starting fullback role, and his two-position flexibility is valuable.
Receivers (6)
Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen, Tre’ Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Derius Davis
Who’s out: Jalen Reagor, Jaylen Johnson, Brenden Rice, Luke Grimm, Dalevon Campbell, JaQuae Jackson
I do not see this group changing between now and cutdown day, barring an injury. Allen has made his mark in practice since re-signing with the Chargers last week. He and Herbert have picked up where they left off in 2023. Davis missed time with an injury, but he has been working back into individual drills this week. He was showing improvement as a receiver before the injury. Davis’ primary role will be as the starting kick and punt returner.
Keenan Allen has seemlessly rejoined the wide reciver corps, while rookie Tre’ Harris will also be counted on. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
Tight ends (3)
Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden
Who’s out: Tucker Fisk, Stevo Klotz, Thomas Yassmin
Fisk brings physicality as a blocker in the run game, which will always be valued in a Greg Roman offense. But I just cannot find room for him on the roster. The Chargers could stash him on the practice squad for depth. Gadsden continues to make strides as a weapon in the passing game.
Offensive line (9)
Joe Alt, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Trey Pipkins III, Jamaree Salyer, Branson Taylor, Andre James, David Sharpe
Who’s out: Nash Jones, Josh Kaltenberger, Karsen Barnhart, Corey Stewart, Ryan Nelson
The top eight here are set. The Chargers signed Sharpe over the weekend in an attempt to find a swing tackle following Slater’s injury. Pipkins was in that role before Slater tore his patellar tendon. Now Pipkins is the starting right tackle, with Alt moving to left tackle to replace Slater.
None of the other offensive linemen — Jones, Kaltenberger, Barnhart, Stewart of Nelson — has shown me enough to make the roster. I will be watching Sharpe closely Saturday against the Rams to see if he is up for that role. He spent most of last season on the Houston Texans practice squad. To me, there are eight linemen who have really earned spots, but I cannot see the Chargers only keeping eight. Salyer started at left tackle against the Saints and played well. He has not played right tackle in the NFL. Perhaps the Chargers settle on him as their swing tackle and instead keep a guard as the ninth lineman. Among the five on the outside looking in, Jones has shown the most potential.
Defensive line (6)
Teair Tart, Otito Ogbonnia, Da’Shawn Hand, Jamaree Caldwell, Justin Eboigbe, Naquan Jones
Who’s out: Christopher Hinton, TeRah Edwards, Nesta Jade Silvera
The interior defensive line has turned into one of the deepest positions on the roster. All six players I have making the 53-man have flashed at various points this summer, both in practices and games. If the goal is keeping the best players, then all six deserve a spot. The Chargers could hypothetically only keep five defensive linemen, largely because of Matlock’s flexibility. But that feels unlikely to me, because of how well Tart, Ogbonnia, Hand, Caldwell, Eboigbe and Jones have played.
Edge rushers (5)
Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Caleb Murphy, Kyle Kennard
Who’s out: Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, Kylan Guidry, Garmon Randolph
Murphy has played his way onto the roster. He has shown up in the games as a run defender, pass rusher and special teams coverage player. I think he will end up being the fourth edge rusher active on game days early in the season, while Kennard will be inactive.
Linebackers (4)
Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Troy Dye, Junior Colson
Who’s out: Kana’i Mauga, Marlowe Wax, Emany Johnson
Other: Del’Shawn Phillips (PUP)
Phillips is still working off to the side at practice. If he returns before cutdown day, that would change the makeup of this room. Phillips was supposed to be the replacement for core-four special-teamer Nick Niemann, who signed with the Texans in free agency this offseason. Murphy is poised to take on those snaps now. Wax is having a really good camp. If he shows up in the final two preseason games, he could make a strong push. I have him off the 53-man for now, but he is a lock for the practice squad if he gets cut and clears waivers.
Safety (5)
Derwin James, Elijah Molden, Alohi Gilman, Tony Jefferson, R.J. Mickens
Who’s out: Kendall Williamson, Jaylen Jones
The Chargers could cut Jefferson and stash him on the practice squad, but I firmly believe he is one of the team’s 10 best defensive backs right now. Jefferson is also an experienced special teams player who can contribute in that phase.
Tony Jefferson’s veteran presence and special teams experience should earn him a roster spot. (Jon Endow / Imagn Images)
Cornerback (5)
Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Benjamin St-Juste, Ja’Sir Taylor
Who’s out: Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed, Trikweze Bridges, Myles Purchase, Eric Rogers, Nehemiah Shelton, Harrison Hand
I do not think a sixth cornerback has earned a spot at this point. Leonard was trending in that direction because of his ability as a gunner on punt, but he just cannot stay healthy. Leonard missed time early in camp with an injury. He was injured again in the Saints game and did not practice this week. The player to watch is Reed, who was ascending early in camp before he suffered an injury of his own. Reed missed practice last week and did not play against the Saints. But he was back in team drills this week.
Specialists (3)
P JK Scott, LS Josh Harris, K Cameron Dicker
No competition in this group. After a bit of a shaky start to camp, Dicker made both of his field goal attempts against the Saints.
(Top photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Source link
