The Los Angeles Chargers revealed their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday and their practice squad on Wednesday. Though both of these will change shape throughout the season, here are some thoughts on the current iterations:
Brenden Rice Secured His Spot With His Camp Performance
Compared to wide receivers like Simi Fehoko and Quentin Johnston, Rice didn’t have showstopper moments in preseason games but did have them in camp with receptions and touchdowns up until the last day. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman remarked after the first preseason game that Rice was doing some really good things and could run all day. In addition to his receiving skills, Rice also can impact special teams, and that combination was enough it seems to earn a spot.
Related: Where do the Los Angeles Chargers land on the latest NFL offense rankings
Donald Parham Doesn’t Fit With This Version of the Chargers
Parham is big-bodied, tall, and able to make those contested catches. Daniel Popper of The Atheltic remarked on Day 16 of camp though that Parham’s never been an amazing blocker, which he noted is the missing component that’s needed to be a tight end in this new Harbaugh/Roman offense. The Chargers luckily have quite a few receivers to choose from and with the addition of Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst in the offseason, they also have some tight ends with receiving and blocking ability.
Read More: How to Watch NFL Games Without Cable
Isaiah Spiller Couldn’t Rise To The Occasion
Spiller was waived on Tuesday and made his way to the practice squad. He didn’t stand out this offseason and wasn’t as explosive as running backs Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson. Despite his potential, injuries and a deep running back room hindered Spiller’s development over the years, keeping him behind established players like Austin Ekeler. With the addition of the two mentioned above as well as dominant backs in Gus Edwards, and J.K. Dobbins, the chances for Spiller to make this roster were slim.
Easton Stick Is Still Chargers QB2
Well, Stick did it. Despite some lackluster games and practices, he managed to hold onto that number two spot. Harbaugh has always spoken highly of Stick, with the exception of some of his bigger errors during the Rams preseason game, so though this backup situation felt like a competition, it never truly was.
This may turn into an in-season competition though now that the Chargers are acquiring quarterback Taylor Heinicke in a trade for a conditional sixth-round pick, so things are about to get more interesting in this position group.
Tre’Mon Morris-Brash Couldn’t Break Into A Crowded Edge Rusher Room
Morris-Brash is one of those players that luckily made it to the Chargers practice squad because he had some great moments during camp. He hit quarterback Sam Howell mid-throw in the preseason game against the Seahawks to create an incomplete pass. In the game against Dallas this past week, he tipped the ball to himself and ran it in for a touchdown.
Additionally, Brash was constantly mentioned during camp for sacks and creating pressure. With the addition of Bud Dupree this offseason, and the fact that the Chargers kept both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, that roster position was crowded. It makes sense that he made the practice squad though as Bosa is constantly injured and the edge rusher room is not the youngest, with the exception of Tuli Tuipulotu, so having that extra insurance policy with Brash makes sense.
