The Los Angeles Chargers will conclude their 2024 preseason on Saturday night against the Dallas Cowboys. Though much of the final roster has likely been determined, some key spots are still up for grabs.
The Chargers coaching staff will have some difficult decisions to make in finalizing this roster. Who will be the backup quarterback? How many running backs and wide receivers will keep? Those could be some of the answers the team is looking for on Saturday night.
Look for these players to make their case for the 53-man roster against the Cowboys.
Chargers have four close position battles to watch against Dallas
Simi Fehoko vs. Brenden Rice
A couple of weeks ago, this wouldn't have even been a conversation. Simi Fehoko looked like a player to help fill out the 90-man roster and Brenden Rice, the son of the legendary Jerry Rice, seemed like a sure thing to make the team.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh on WR Simi Fehoko: "Competitors are welcome. He showed up again today. He showed up big in the game. He's redefining himself and his game. More physical, doing the things that competitors do to contribute to the team."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 19, 2024
"He really belongs. He's starting…
But with the recent performance of Fehoko on offense combined with what is known about his special teams ability, he might steal the spot from Rice.
It seems that the top five wide receivers are pretty much decided. Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, D.J. Chark and Derius Davis look like they are on the roster. If the team keeps a sixth, it will be between Rice and Fehoko.
Isaiah Spiller vs. Jaret Patterson
This might not be that much of a competition anymore as Isaiah Spiller just hasn't done enough to stay on the team and Jaret Patterson has had a strong summer. It's unlikely that the team would let go of Kimani Vidal in favor of both of these guys, so one of them will go.
Unless Spiller has an incredible game against Dallas, the fourth RB spot likely belongs to Patterson.
JT Woods vs. Thomas Harper
On paper, this shouldn't be close. The Chargers used a third-round pick on JT Woods just two years ago. Thomas Harper is an undrafted free agent. But Woods has just eight career tackles and Harper has been the better player in camp and preseason this summer.
Will Woods be able to do anything to change the way this is seemingly going ahead of cutdown day?
Easton Stick vs. Outside QB options
There is a great chance that whoever backs up Justin Herbert in 2024 is not currently on the roster. But if they are, it's going to be Easton Stick.
Stick is going to play the entire game against the Cowboys, allowing him to control his destiny. But if he doesn't have a convincing performance, the Chargers will almost certainly look for another option via trade or waivers following final cuts made by other teams.
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