The Chargers are set to take on the Rams in their third and final preseason game of 2026 on Thursday.
It’s been a whirlwind of training camp with a ton of good and a lot left to be desired. August 30th is a crucial day for the Bolts and the other 31 teams, as it is the NFL 53-man roster cutdown deadline.
Tough decisions will be made throughout the league, including by the Chargers. The top end of the depth chart is in a good place for Los Angeles; however, it’s crucial that they get the depth pieces right.
That is what is at stake for the Chargers, with several players needing a big Week 3 preseason performance to make their case.
Here are the six players who must play well to ensure they make the final 53-man roster.
OL Trevor Penning
It's put up or shut up time
for Penning in Week 3 of the preseason. There is a ton at stake for the veteran offensive lineman. Penning started training camp in the mix for the starting left guard spot, but he's unlikely to secure that role. On top of that, the Chargers possibly having two centers on the roster could hurt his chances. The only way they keep Penning is if he performs well. If not, he'll likely be looking for a new team by the beginning of next week. -Ricardo
QB DJ Uiagalelei
The race for the QB2 spot is neck-and-neck between Uiagalelei and Trey Lance. Lance is the quarterback who has either started or come in for Justin Herbert. That will likely remain the case after Herbert's night against the Rams is done. Although that will likely be the case, Uiagalelei has a chance to steal that QB2 spot from Lance, especially if he outplays the former first-round pick. Lance may still have the edge because of his mobility, but Uiagalelei's performance could make this a much tougher decision for the Chargers. -Ricardo
WR Dalevon Campbell
The top of the Chargers' wide receiver depth chart is set. However, after that, it's a big question mark. The team will likely carry six receivers on its initial 53-man roster, putting Campbell directly in the mix. KeAndre Lambert-Smith has also been turning heads and could make the competition difficult for Campbell. If Campbell can put together a stellar Week 3 performance against the Rams, it would go a long way toward strengthening his case for a roster spot. -Ricardo
EDGE Nadame Tucker
Despite generating buzz for most of the summer, Tucker hasn't done much in the preseason. He did record a critical quarterback pressure that helped set up Junior Colson's pick-six last week. With Kyle Kennard dealing with an injury, a strong finale could slide Tucker into the final rotational edge spot. -Gavino
CB Rodney Shelley
Shelley heavily raised his stock during last week's matchup against the 49ers. The undrafted rookie recorded three total tackles and two massive downfield pass breakups to shut down explosive plays. Shelley is locked in a direct battle with fellow undrafted standout Avery Smith and returning corner Nikko Reed. Because general manager Joe Hortiz has a history of keeping standout undrafted defensive backs, a repeat performance against the Rams could lock Shelley into the final 53. -Gavino
LB Junior Colson
ESPN's Kris Rhim predicts Colson will be left out of the 53-man roster, making it even more important for him to have a great performance in their final preseason game. Of the three Chargers mentioned above, Colson appears to have the best chance of making the roster. The former Michigan Wolverine has battled injuries throughout his first two NFL seasons, and that could play a role in the team's final decision. Colson has shown flashes, but that won't be enough unless he stands out on Thursday night. -Ricardo
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers roster bubble: 6 players who must play well vs. Rams
