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- Chargers show improvement in their final preseason tuneup despite 20-18 loss to Rams, as the team bounces back after last week’s dud.
- Backup quarterback race tightens as DJ Uiagalelei outplays Trey Lance, while undrafted rookies Rodney Shelley and Greg Desrosiers Jr. make compelling roster cases.
After an ugly loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, Jim Harbaugh wanted to see a better showing from his team in its final preseason test.
The third-year coach had his wish somewhat granted, as the Chargers presented several encouraging performances in a 20-18 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday.
“It was important football being played,” Harbaugh said. “Many good things. Lot of good. ... I liked the response from the entire team from Week 2 to Week 3 of the preseason.”
Here are five takeaways from the Chargers’ final tuneup before 53-man rosters must be finalized Sunday:
Starters show up
The Chargers’ starters on defense, without safety Derwin James Jr. and outside linebacker Khalil Mack, did their part against the Rams’ second-stringers.
Chris O’Leary’s unit forced a punt on its first drive. And despite the Rams’ second drive starting at the Chargers’ 14-yard line, the defense limited the damage to three points.
“I just felt the energy,” outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu said. “That’s what I felt from [our] defense.”
Mike McDaniel’s offense, meanwhile, started on the wrong foot. Quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled a handoff to running back Omarion Hampton on the Chargers’ second play from scrimmage, leading to a Rams field goal.
However, Herbert and the starting offense made sure they left something pleasing on film. On the second play of the Chargers’ second possession, Herbert connected with wide receiver Quentin Johnston over the middle on a sensational 65-yard touchdown pass.
“I knew it was a touchdown,” said wideout Ladd McConkey. “I looked up [and] saw Q running free, so I knew he was going to make a play.”
Herbert’s pass traveled 57.6 air yards, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
“Double wow,” Harbaugh said.
DJ Uiagalelei outduels Trey Lance
Trey Lance, the incumbent backup quarterback, used his legs well and earned 22 yards on four rushes. DJ Uiagalelei, however, looked like he could become the Chargers’ new backup signal-caller.
Uiagalelei made some nice, quick reads and completed 11 of 18 passes for 141 yards. He lost a fumble to seal the loss, though, after being strip-sacked by Rams outside linebacker Darryl Peterson.
“I felt solid out there,” Uiagalelei said. “I mean, I wish we would’ve won, man. ... I’m pretty frustrated, pretty upset. ... Just tough to go out like that on a fumble.”
Lance, who’s more familiar with McDaniel’s system from their shared time in San Francisco, looked rushed on most of his snaps and didn’t connect on his two throws, one of which was a drop by Derius Davis.
There hasn’t been much separation between Lance and Uiagalelei throughout training camp, but the St. John Bosco product was better on Thursday.
The NFL announced it has permanently eliminated the Pro Bowl game, which has been in existence since 1951.
Rookies make their roster cases
Rodney Shelley, an undrafted cornerback, and Greg Desrosiers Jr., an undrafted running back, are on the bubble of making the Chargers’ 53-man roster.
Even with an unnecessary roughness penalty in the fourth, Shelley made his reps count, making five tackles and breaking up a deep pass from Rams quarterback Ty Simpson intended for Tyler Scott.
Desrosiers erupted for 118 yards on nine rushes, including a 34-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
“I kind of just put in my heart to go out there and ball,” Desrosiers said. “I feel like I did everything I needed to do to kind of put all the teams on notice [and] put the front office here on notice. And hopefully I’ve made it hard for them to make the decision.”
Left guard race still going?
Kayode Awosika is the favorite to win the Chargers’ starting left guard job, and he played there during the first two series.
But when Lance and the second-stringers replaced the starters, Awosika moved to right guard. Trevor Penning replaced Awosika at left guard.
“The entire preseason, with the offensive line, we like the way it’s coming together,” Harbaugh said.
Maybe Trey Pipkins III, who McDaniel said remained in the left guard competition, still has a shot. He played left tackle with the starters Thursday. Another candidate, Logan Taylor, started at right tackle.
Special teams still shaky
Cameron Dicker missed an extra-point attempt in the Chargers’ preseason win over the Houston Texans. JK Scott made unfavorable headlines against the 49ers after an abysmal tackling effort during Jacob Cowing’s 83-yard punt return for a touchdown.
On Thursday, Dicker missed a 49-yard field goal to end the first half, a distance he’s usually sharp from. And Scott, although he didn’t have to make any tackles, shanked a punt 20 yards down the right sideline from the Chargers’ nine-yard line, setting up a 29-yard Rams touchdown drive.
Dicker was spotted going into the sideline medical tent early in the game for an undisclosed reason. But Harbaugh said it’s nothing to worry about.
“He’s the most accurate kicker in NFL history,” Harbaugh said. “That’s not something I’m worried about.”
