The Los Angeles Chargers released their 53-man roster today, and it’s not a happy ending for everyone.
Most of the roster moves were fairly predictable, but there were a few surprise cuts.
Let’s look at four of those players and hope they can clear waivers and slip through to the practice squad.
Los Angeles Chargers, RB, Raheim “Rocket” Sanders
Sanders was waived and will hopefully find his way onto the practice squad, as he has certainly been a bright spot for the Los Angeles Chargers in the last few weeks.
He and running back Kimani Vidal were tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the preseason games (two), while he had the most rushing yards of Chargers players in those matchups (101).
In particular, he just showed a really good ability for route running, changing direction, and finding those gaps to make plays. He even had some receptions during those games.
He didn’t participate in parts of camp as well as the Hall of Fame Game due to injury, but certainly made up for it in his play. I hope he stays in LA if he hasn’t flashed too much to be claimed by another team.
S, Tony Jefferson
Jefferson is another player who may find his way to the practice squad, though I was hoping he had finally found a permanent roster position. He’s certainly someone who dazzles during preseason games.
He had a pass breakup on a fourth-and-goal during the game against the Los Angeles Rams and a leaping interception in the end zone during the Hall of Fame Game, along with a hard takedown on Lions running back Craig Reynolds prior to that interception.
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Having written about Jefferson earlier in the year and hearing about his commitment to LA and knowing how he impacted their play last season, hopefully, the Los Angeles Chargers find a way to keep him around.
LB, Del’Shawn Phillips
Releasing Phillips is surprising because of his special teams experience, and as Daniel Popper of The Athletic relayed, “Phillips was supposed to be the replacement for core-four special-teamer Nick Niemann, who signed with the Texans in free agency this offseason.”
He didn’t start practicing, though, until day 21 of training camp, and by then, he had already been replaced on the special teams front.
Eric Smith of Chargers.com relayed in his roster analysis that linebacker Troy Dye “is a core four special teams player who will be vital to the Los Angeles Chargers’ success in that phase,” and noted others who can certainly be critical in that area. So Phillips just wasn’t needed by the time he got healthy.
RB, Kimani Vidal
Vidal was a player whom I predicted to make waves this year if he got onto the roster. He especially impressed during the Hall of Fame Game, where he had two touchdowns and multiple good runs. But players like Hassan Haskins got in the way.
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Popper in his roster predictions said that running back Hassan Haskins “is a core-four special-teamer. Vidal has shown some growth on special teams, and he has been a fixture on the first-team punt unit,” while Smith of Chargers.com noted, “Haskins adds value in multiple facets, both as a short-yardage back and on special teams.”
Najee Harris also threw a wrench into the roster by not being placed on injured reserve (designated for return) list. So with Harris on the roster, everything got tighter in the position unit. Hopefully, Vidal makes it on the practice squad.