The Los Angeles Chargers enter their final preseason matchup with more on the line than just tuning up for Week 1. Jim Harbaugh’s debut season has been marked by fierce roster battles, and three position groups in particular—cornerback, edge rusher, and running back—remain unsettled heading into the final cutdown.
Chargers Roster Battle: Cornerback, A Numbers Game
In today’s NFL, the phrase “you can never have enough corners” isn’t just a cliché, it’s a reality. The Chargers’ secondary is arguably one of the deepest units on the roster, but depth comes with tough choices. With Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, and Benjamin St-Juste essentially locked into the top four slots, only one cornerback spot realistically remains.
That battle has zeroed in on veterans Deane Leonard and Ja’Sir Taylor. Both enter their fourth year, but each faces pressure from rookies and special teams expectations. Taylor has made the most of camp, flashing steady coverage skills and delivering multiple pass breakups, including two forced incompletions during Wednesday’s session. He appeared in 14 games last season, posting 22 tackles and a career-high eight passes defended. His versatility as a gunner on special teams could be the deciding factor.
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Leonard, meanwhile, has struggled to separate himself in a crowded room. His health and consistency remain question marks, while rookies Nikko Reed and Eric Rogers have already delivered highlight-reel plays this preseason—interception returns of 60 and 55 yards, respectively. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter acknowledged the challenge of sorting through the depth chart, noting, “We’re three weeks and two days from playing [against the Chiefs], so we’re not anywhere near set at that position. We’ve got great pieces. I feel really good about a lot of those guys.”
For Leonard and Taylor, every rep in the preseason finale could determine whether they’re part of a cornerback rotation designed to mirror a basketball team, mixing size, speed, and versatility to counter modern offenses.
Chargers Roster Battle: Edge Rusher, Murphy vs. Kennard
What once looked like a straightforward depth chart decision has turned into one of the camp’s most compelling storylines. Fourth-round rookie Kyle Kennard was drafted with expectations of sliding directly into the Chargers’ EDGE4 spot behind Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, and Tuli Tuipulotu. Instead, second-year undrafted free agent Caleb Murphy has flipped the script.
Murphy has been a disruptive force across camp and preseason. In the Hall of Fame Game, he notched two pressures, two tackles, and a forced fumble on special teams—all in just 26 snaps. Against New Orleans, he followed up with a strip sack and another takedown of rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. His ability to impact both defense and special teams has placed him firmly in the roster conversation.
Kennard, by contrast, has shown flashes as a run defender but has yet to demonstrate the pass-rush production that made him the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Minter was blunt: “Kennard is still kind of figuring out the best way for him to rush.” Kennard remains a high-upside project, but Murphy has forced the coaching staff to rethink their plans.
If the Chargers keep only four edge rushers, Murphy may have already sealed the job. If they stretch to five, Kennard’s developmental upside could earn him a spot. Either way, this final preseason game will weigh heavily.
Chargers Roster Battle: Running Back, A Crowded Room
Perhaps the most fluid situation lies in the backfield. Veteran Najee Harris’ freak offseason eye injury has left the unit in flux. While Harris’ availability for Week 1 remains unclear, rookie Omarion Hampton has seized the RB1 role. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman made it clear that a committee approach is coming either way: “There will be rotation no matter what happens. The day of the one running back taking every rep, it’s kinda gone the way of the prehistoric creatures.”
The depth chart behind Hampton is murky. Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins have both struggled with pass protection in camp, surrendering sacks in live drills. Nyheim Miller-Hines’ comeback bid may already be over—he failed to register a carry last weekend and muffed two kicks on special teams.
That has opened the door for undrafted rookie Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. After missing time early in camp, Sanders returned against the Saints and delivered 42 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. His combination of size, burst, and potential as a pass protector has quickly made him a fan favorite for a roster spot. With Harris uncertain, Sanders could leapfrog veterans if he continues to show growth.
The Final Test
Roster cutdown day looms, and for players on the bubble, one preseason game may be the difference between a roster spot and unemployment. For Leonard and Taylor at corner, Murphy and Kennard at edge, and Sanders and company in the backfield, the final audition is here.
The Chargers know these aren’t just depth battles—they’re competitions that could define the team’s ability to withstand injuries and sustain success over a grueling 17-game season.
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