The Chargers wrapped up their three-game exhibition schedule with a 26-19 victory Saturday over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, thanks to a couple of explosive plays for touchdowns and a strong defensive effort that forced six turnovers, including five interceptions.
Did quarterback Easton Stick accomplish enough to keep his backup job? Stick completed 12 of 29 passes for 187 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He connected with wide receiver Simi Fehoko, another player looking to secure a job, on a 78-yard touchdown pass play.
Did safety Tony Jefferson do enough to impress the Chargers’ coaching staff to earn a backup’s role? Jefferson had a team-leading 14 tackles, with one sack of Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Jefferson seemed to be everywhere all at once.
Did wide receiver Derius Davis do what he needed to do in order to maintain his job? Davis took a handoff from Stick on the Chargers’ first play from scrimmage and sprinted around left end and down the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown, leaving Cowboys’ defenders trailing in his wake.
All will be revealed Tuesday, when NFL teams must cut their training camp rosters to the league-mandated 53 players. Here’s a closer look at the Chargers’ projected 53-man roster, with a reminder that who they start with could change dramatically as the 2024 season unfolds:
QUARTERBACK (2)
Projected starter: Justin Herbert
Projected backup: Easton Stick
Herbert returned to the practice field after a layoff of two-plus weeks because of a right foot injury and it looked like he hadn’t been away. It didn’t seem to matter that he was playing with new wide receivers, new tight ends and new running backs in camp. His throws were as crisp and accurate as ever. Stick’s hold on the backup’s job seemed tenuous at various points in Herbert’s absence.
RUNNING BACK (4)
Projected starter: Gus Edwards
Projected backups: J.K. Dobbins, Jaret Patterson, Kimani Vidal.
Free agents Edwards and Dobbins sat out each of the exhibitions, so it was difficult to gauge their possible effectiveness. They’ll be asked to replace the productive and versatile Austin Ekeler, who left for the Washington Commanders as a free agent. Patterson and Vidal carved out backup roles during camp.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Projected starters: Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston
Projected backups: DJ Chark Jr., Derius Davis, Ladd McConkey, Simi Fehoko
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams departed during the offseason, leaving Herbert without his two favorite targets but with a chance to develop new connections with Palmer, Johnston, Chark and the others. Keep an eye on McConkey, a rookie. Davis is likely to retain his job returning punts and kickoffs..
TIGHT END (3)
Projected starter: Will Dissly or Hayden Hurst
Projected backup: Donald Parham Jr.
Gerald Everett’s departure via free agency created a void at the position that GM Joe Hortiz filled with a different type of player. Everett was a standout receiver with the Chargers, but Dissly and Hurst are far better blockers in the running game. It remains to be determined who will win the starter’s job.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Projected starters: Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Trey Pipkins III, Joe Alt
Projected backups: Brenden Jaimes, Jordan McFadden, Jamaree Slater, Foster Sarell
The Chargers signed Bozeman to replace Corey Linsley, who retired because of a heart issue. Alt, a first-round draft pick, enabled the Chargers to shift Pipkins from tackle to guard. Otherwise, the Chargers’ O-line remained intact from last season. Alt’s selection was a reminder of the Chargers’ need to protect Herbert.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
Projected starters: Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia
Projected backups: Scott Matlock, Justin Eboigbe, Christopher Hinton
Ford was a key offseason addition to an underappreciated position on a defense that’s desperate to improve its play against the run. Ogbonnia improved his play noticeably over last season, standing out during spring practices and in training camp. Matlock and Hinton provide depth.
LINEBACKER (10)
Projected starters: Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley
Projected backups: Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Chris Rumph II, Nick Niemann, Troy Dye, Junior Colson
The Chargers have an embarrassment of riches at the outside linebacker position with Bosa and Mack capably backed up by Tuipulotu, DuPree and Rumph. Bosa was sidelined by an apparent hand injury for much of camp, however. Perryman, who signed as a free agent, is joined by Henley at inside linebacker.
CORNERBACK (6)
Projected starters: Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton
Projected backups: Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, JT Woods, Tarheeb Still
Fulton answered any and all questions about who might start opposite Samuel by the opening days of camp. Fulton was almost a mirror image of Samuel in his ability to cover closely and ball-hawk. Woods made a successful and somewhat surprising transition from safety to cornerback.
SAFETY (4)
Projected starters: Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman
Projected backups: AJ Finley, Tony Jefferson
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With the expectation of the quarterback position, no Chargers seemed wired into their starting roles more than James and Gilman. They were paired last season and there was no reason to expect they would be split up. Jefferson likely sealed a job with Saturday’s monster game against Dallas.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Projected starters: Cameron Dicker (kicker), JK Scott (punter), Josh Harris (long snapper).
It’s hard to imagine a more cohesive group of Chargers than Dicker, Scott and Harris, three standouts in each of their roles. The days of the Chargers’ special teams follies are long over. Dicker was 6 for 6 on field goals during the preseason, including a 58-yarder against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 10.
