Coach Jim Harbaugh will have many roster decisions to make after leading his Chargers onto the field for their final preseason game. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Heading into the preseason finale Saturday in Dallas against the Cowboys, the Chargers have determined most of their starters but a few key positions remain unsettled before the roster cuts to 53 by 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Easton Stick will start at quarterback again with Luis Perez also certain to take many snaps.
With roster depth a concern, what to watch for in the Chargers’ preseason finale:
Backup running back
Rams defensive back Tre Tomlinson tackles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal during their preseason game. (Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
The duo of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins is set to handle the lion’s share of the carries at running back heading into the season, but the competition for the third spot has intensified.
Apparently a two-man race has emerged between Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson since Vidal recently returned from injury. Last week against the Rams, Vidal played 28 snaps and Patterson 24.
Vidal did well with his opportunities, rushing for 27 yards in six carries, adding two receptions and impressing the coaching staff in the process. Patterson, who started the first two preseason games, got fewer touches and managed just four yards in two attempts and caught one pass for two yards.
Last season the Chargers carried four running backs on their 53-man roster, and they might employ a similar strategy, which would benefit Vidal and Patterson.
Read more: Chargers declare two defensive stars will be ready for season opener
A sixth-round pick in April, Vidal had a late start battling for a roster spot and, according to offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the rookie’s sense of urgency is apparent. “He’s 100 miles an hour at all times,” Roman said. “This means a lot to him, and he shows it in everything he does — in every meeting, every practice, and at all times.” It looks…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/roster-spots-line-chargers-close-103037680.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-08-23 10:30:37
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