The preseason finale is already here for the Chargers who just finished up their 20th and final training camp practice on Tuesday.
Jim Harbaugh told reporters that starters will see time against the Rams, aside from Derwin James and Khalil Mack. That means Justin Herbert, the starting offensive line, and all of their skill position players, as well.
With this also being the final audition for many of the players young players who have been grinding it out through camp, there’s going to be no shortage
of effort in SoFi Stadium.
Here’s who we are going to be keeping an eye on Thursday night when these two teams take the field.
EDGEs Nadame Tucker & Kyle Kennard
Tucker had a strong start to camp but expectations and hype around the undrafted rookie have simmered over the last two weeks, especially after a very poor outing against the 49ers that included a face mask penalty that eliminated what should have been a tackle for loss for the rookie.
Both Tucker and Kennard were going to be given every chance this summer to prove they could be worthy of the fourth edge rusher spot over Bud Dupree. It would have been ideal as far as allowing the team to save some money if they wished to move on, but neither player showed enough promise.
Both Tucker and Kennard need to show SOMETHING against the Rams or else I fear neither may end up making the final roster. The Chargers could easily turn to cut candidates from around the league to find a veteran pass rusher who could also perform on special teams, not unlike how Caleb Murphy was a preseason darling from a season ago.
DT Nick Barrett
Barrett was selected in the fifth round of this year’s draft which would lead you to believe he has the inside track to making the Chargers’ final roster amongst a crowded interior defender room that’s filled with a number of other first or second-year players. However, guys like Jahmeer Carter and TeRah Edwards have also stood just as much, if not more, than Barrett has through the first two preseason games.
If final cuts were today, I don’t actually think Barrett has outplayed Edwards overall, but his status as a draft pick likely pushes him over the threshold as the team’s fifth and final defensive tackle that I expect them to keep.
OG/T Trey Pipkins
With Jake Slaughter switching back to full-time center following Tyler Biadasz’s injury, the Chargers thrust Pipkins straight into the left guard competition with Kayode Awosika in order to get him up to speed with the regular season fast approaching.
Awosika is seemingly the starter to begin the year, but Pipkins needs to be prepared if more injuries pop up. The team cannot be just one more injury away from another wash of a season. If Awosika goes down, the Chargers want to not skip a beat with Pipkins taking his place, hence the huge surge in snaps over the last week of practice.
Pipkins should have the athleticism to be effective in Mike McDaniels’ offense so this isn’t the worst move, but his ability to handle the interior pass rush is another question he’ll have to answer if/when that time comes.
OT Rashawn Slater
If Harbaugh was being truthful about all but two starters seeing snaps against the Rams in the preseason finale, then of course I’m pumped to see Slater take the field for the first time since the 2024 postseason.
Slater looked good in practice this week and his movement skills all looked unhampered. He was exploding out of his stance at full speed and even went as far as participating in 11-on-11 drills. Be it just one snap, five, or a dozen, it’s going to be a sweet sight to see the Chargers’ star left tackle out there putting belt to a**.
