Chargers roster breakdown: Only two quarterbacks kept on 53-man roster
Luis Perez and Isaiah Spiller were notable cuts Tuesday as the Chargers reduced their roster to 53 players by the NFL’s mandatory deadline.
Perez was signed midway through the camp to compete for the backup quarterback role while Justin Herbert was recovering from an injury but didn’t see the field in the preseason finale despite splitting snaps with Easton Stick throughout camp. If he clears waivers, Perez could be added to the practice squad.
Spiller, a fourth-round pick in 2022, narrowly missed the cut after a tough competition with rookie Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson. Last season, Spiller made the 53-man roster but saw limited playing time, including stints on special teams.
The Chargers placed four players on injured reserve, one on injured reserve/designated for return, released two and waived 31 others Tuesday. Released were fifth-year players, tight end Donald Parham Jr. and linebacker Shaq Quarterman.
Below is a breakdown of the 53-man roster, which is never final in this league.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sees an 18-game NFL regular season as something that will help the players financially and help teams grow fan bases.
“It’s the beginning. Then we’ll grow it tomorrow,” Jim Harbaugh said as the team prepares to fill its practice squad. “This roster isn’t really 53 anymore. … It’s much higher in the 70s.”
Harbaugh is a big believer in the practice squad.
“It’s important,” he said. “Over the course of a season, they stay frosty and ready for game day. And for the mentality of the player, it keeps them improving.”
Quarterback (2): Justin Herbert, Easton Stick
Herbert enters his fifth season looking to continue his rise in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks. As the franchise’s most important player, Herbert missed a significant portion of training camp with a plantar fascia injury but stated the injury had fully healed.
Herbert has looked magnificent in camp since his return. The backup quarterback situation remains less rosy. Stick struggled throughout training camp and preseason games. He has been behind Herbert the last four years and moved up to No. 2 last season — a role he keeps for now.
Running back (4): Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson
A new running back duo is set to debut in L.A. as Edwards and Dobbins left the Baltimore Ravens to head west and lead a heavily revamped offense that plans to emphasize the run.
However, it’s yet to be seen how they might perform. The coaching staff has been injury conscious, being cautious by not playing the duo in the preseason.
Edwards is coming off a career-best season, in which he rushed for 810 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. In Baltimore, he mainly played as a backup but last season he filled in for Dobbins after his Achilles injury.
Injuries have hampered Dobbins throughout his career, leading to an “injury-prone” label that he’s eager to shed. He insists he’s fully healthy and ready to prove it. While it appears Dobbins will split snaps with Edwards, the expectation is he will play a significant role in the passing game, a skill he has demonstrated consistently in camp.
A sixth-round rookie, Vidal made a strong case for a roster spot with his performance against the Rams in his only preseason game. Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman also praised his practice performances.
Patterson carried a heavy workload throughout the preseason as he sought to secure a roster spot after spending last season on the practice squad.
Wide receiver (7): Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark Jr., Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Simi Fehoko, Brenden Rice
Palmer steps into the No. 1 receiver role after spending last season behind the now-departed Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) ... whenever he wasn’t replacing one of the oft-injured receivers. Now, Palmer has the opportunity to prove he can be the primary target for Herbert.
Chark , a former Pro Bowl selection from his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was brought in this offseason as a No. 2 option. Last season, Chark had a modest showing with 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns.
Johnston, whose rookie season was marred by inconsistency and concerns about his catching ability, has looked impressive throughout camp. He has showcased his speed, route running and improved hands.
Rookie McConkey has impressed in his first camp, earning praise from both Harbaugh and Roman. The two-time national champion and Wuerffel Trophy winner from Georgia aims to carve out a role.
Showing determination and fight for a roster spot, Fehoko’s performances forced the Chargers to keep him. He has shined throughout the preseason, leading the team with seven receptions and 170 yards receiving.
Davis, an All-Pro punt returner in his rookie campaign with shifty speed, looks to get more snaps on offense. Despite a quiet preseason — one reception on 11 targets — Rice made the cut.
Tight end (3): Hayden Hurst, Will Dissly, Stone Smartt
Hurst and Dissly, added in the offseason, bring physicality and blocking skills the Chargers need to enhance a revamped run game favored by Harbaugh and Roman.
Hurst, a six-year veteran, also provides a valuable presence in the passing game as a sizable target. He has seen substantial snaps throughout camp but has not returned fully to practice since suffering an undisclosed injury in the first preseason game.
Smartt primarily contributes on special teams.
Offensive line (9): Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins III, Rashawn Slater, Bradley Bozeman, Zion Johnson, Jamaree Salyer, Jordan McFadden, Brenden Jaimes, Foster Sarell
Over the last few seasons, the Chargers have invested heavily in the offensive line, including three first-round picks — the most recent, Alt, in April.
All-Pro left tackle Slater, right guard Pipkins III and left guard Johnson are proven commodities. Rookie right tackle Alt was the fifth pick of the draft with high expectations, and appears to be developing quickly. Bozeman, signed in the offseason, will be at center.
Entering his second season, McFadden is an intriguing player whose versatility and athleticism have allowed him to also line up at fullback and catch passes, a skill he has practiced throughout the preseason.
Defensive line (6): Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Justin Eboigbe, Scott Matlock, Teair Tart
The interior defensive line is anchored by veterans Fox and Ford, both known for their run-stuffing ability and knack for getting to the passer. Eboigbe, a fourth-round pick, is aiming to break into the rotation.
Tart, signed midway through training camp, has impressed Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter with his effort and how quickly he has integrated into the defense.
Matlock has taken on an increased role this season, contributing to special teams and expanding his involvement on the defensive line.
Joey Bosa and Derwin James missed much of camp time because of injuries, but the Chargers say the defensive stars will face the Raiders in the season opener.
Edge rusher (4): Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree
Mack, the elder statesman entering his 11th season, shows no signs of slowing after finishing fourth in the NFL with 17 sacks last season.
Lined opposite Mack, Bosa aims to regain his status as one of the top pass rushers but another injury (hand/wrist) has kept him out of camp. The hope is that he can avoid a repeat of his injury-plagued 2023 season.
The newly added Dupree, 31, brings a valuable veteran presence. Tuipulotu looks to build on his All-Rookie campaign.
Linebacker (4): Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Troy Dye, Junior Colson
Perryman returned to the organization that drafted him after being away for three years and reclaimed the starting role at inside linebacker. Henley, a third-round pick in 2023, is expected to start alongside Perryman.
Colson, a third-round pick in 2024, is a product of the Harbaugh system at Michigan and made his debut in the preseason finale after missing much of camp with an injury.
Dye performed well during the preseason, making plays in place of many starters who sat out.
Cornerback (6): Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart
Last season the secondary allowed the second-most passing yards (4,580), the ninth-most passing touchdowns (26) and finished fourth for fewest interceptions (nine).
Fulton, added in the offseason, has been a standout in coverage and has shown himself to be a ball hawk. Samuel was a starter last season.
Leonard saw significant snaps in the preseason. The team also has high expectations for Still and Hart, both rookie fifth-round picks.
The Chargers try safety JT Woods at cornerback, making him more versatile and the defensive backfield deeper. Justin Herbert continues to awe in practice.
Safety (5): Derwin James Jr., AJ Finley, Alohi Gilman, JT Wood, Tony Jefferson
James, a former All-Pro selection, is entering his prime as he oversees a young core. After his first full season as a starter, Gilman has looked outstanding throughout training camp, showcasing his physicality in the mold of James.
Finley, an undrafted rookie who made the 53-man roster last season but started the season on the practice squad, has earned the third safety role. Woods’ versatility and physical attributes earned him a roster spot since he can be utilized at safety and cornerback.
Jefferson, 32, the once-retired 10-year veteran turned scout, came back to earn a roster spot behind his performance in the preseason finale (two interceptions, sack, forced fumble).
Specialists (3): K Cameron Dicker, P JK Scott, LS Josh Harris
Dicker’s preseason performances show he’s already in mid-season form, solidifying his status as one of the league’s top kickers. Scott and Harris are both returning for their third seasons with the team.
Injured reserve — designated to return: LB Nick Neimann
Neimann, who recorded 12 tackles in the first preseason game, has missed several weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury. He will miss the first four games before becoming eligible to return.
Injured reserve — season ending: OLB Chris Collins, C/G Bucky Williams, OT Tyler McLellan, OLB Chris Rumph II
Injuries have marred Rumph’s last two seasons. After going on IR with a fractured foot last season, he will miss the entire season because of another foot injury. The extent of Collins and Williams’ injuries are unknown.
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