The Los Angeles Rams will put a bow on the preseason tonight when they face the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in the Week 3 finale. No starters will play for the Rams, and even some other key backups will get the night off if they've already secured roster spots, but this is an important game for younger players looking to make one last impression on the coaching staff.
Here are eight players to keep an eye on against the Chargers in this game.
QB Ty Simpson
This could be the last time we see Simpson play until next August. It's unlikely that anything he does on Thursday night will affect his standing with the team, but it's still an important start for the rookie because of the fact that he's not expected to play during the regular season.
He should get a longer
look than he did in Week 2 against the Saints when he barely threw the ball in a blowout win, so hopefully he can let it rip a little bit more at SoFi Stadium tonight.
RB Jarquez Hunter
Hunter is coming off his best preseason game as a pro, rushing for 68 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown and six missed tackles forced. It was exactly the performance he needed to help improve his chances of making the team, and now he'll try to follow it up with another strong outing.
He's behind Ronnie Rivers on the depth chart but Hunter is still fighting for a roster spot.
WR Tyler Scott
Scott is unlikely to make the team but he's been a quality player for the Rams in the preseason so far. He's made a couple of terrific catches and nearly hauled in a deep touchdown pass from Stetson Bennett last week. Even though he's probably on the wrong side of the roster bubble, he could still put out some good tape Thursday night to help his chances of potentially getting claimed by another team.
LG Bill Murray
Murray has been a pleasant surprise for the Rams. He's the third-highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL this preseason, according to PFF, allowing zero pressures or sacks in two games so far. If the Rams are afraid he'll be claimed off waivers in the event that he's cut, there's an outside chance he could stick on the 53-man roster.
G/T Austin Blaske
Blaske is another O-lineman who's made a name for himself this summer. He's played every position except center in the preseason, lining up at both guard and tackle spots for the Rams. That sort of versatility makes him valuable to the team, especially with questions surrounding Alaric Jackson (suspension) and Keagen Trost (injury).
If the Rams need another lineman to help fill the void at tackle, Blaske could be their guy.
NT Tim Keenan III
In no way are seventh-round rookies ever guaranteed a roster spot, and that applies to Keenan. He hasn't played well in the preseason and with Ty Hamilton sitting out the second game against the Saints, Keenan's prospects of making the team are dwindling.
Keenan needs to step up as a run defender against the Chargers on Thursday night to give himself a better chance to make the team.
OLB Wesley Bailey
Can Bailey follow up his 10-pressure performance with another impressive showing on Thursday? Sean McVay said he felt Bailey's presence all afternoon against the Saints, as the undrafted rookie dominated off the edge in run defense and rushing the passer.
It's possible Bailey already secured a roster spot and will sit out this game against the Chargers, but if he does play, keep an eye on No. 47 at outside linebacker.
CB Al'zillion Hamilton
There's a lot of attention on Cam Lampkin at cornerback, but Hamilton is another guy to watch. He had an interception last week and a pass breakup the week before, standing out in a positive way this preseason. And that's after missing time earlier in camp with an injury.
Lampkin and Hamilton could be fighting for the final roster spot, with no one having a clear edge over the other.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 8 Rams players to watch in preseason finale vs. Chargers
