LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Chargers open the 2026 regular season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13 at SoFi Stadium, after one final preseason game Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams. The team must trim its roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, and coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz face difficult decisions across the roster, particularly at outside linebacker, safety and along the offensive line.
Undrafted outside linebacker Nadame Tucker and undrafted cornerbacks Rodney Shelley and Avery Smith have posted standout performances in training camp, complicating cut-down day choices, according to the projection.
Offensively, the projection lists two quarterbacks: Justin Herbert and Trey Lance. DJ Uiagalelei showed improvement in the offseason and pushed for the backup job, but Lance’s mobility gives him the edge; Uiagalelei would likely return to the practice squad. The projected running back group includes Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal, with Amar Johnson and Jaret Patterson noted as close contenders if the Chargers kept four backs. Alec Ingold would serve as the lone fullback; his familiarity with coach Mike McDaniel’s system and ability to move to tight end provide versatility. The receiving corps projects six spots for Ladd McConkey, Tre’ Harris, Quentin Johnston, Brenen Thompson, Derius Davis and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, with Dalevon Campbell a potential challenger for the final spot. Tight ends David Njoku, Oronde Gadsden and Charlie Kolar round out a deep position group.
The offensive line projection lists nine players: Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins III, Rashawn Slater, Cole Strange, Jacob Spomer, Kayode Awosika, Jake Slaughter, Travis Burke and Branson Taylor. The unit represents one of the toughest battles; Trevor Penning and rookies Alex Harkey and Logan Taylor are left off in this scenario. The projection assumes guard Tyler Biadasz will begin the season on injured reserve after suffering a left knee injury in a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers.
Defensively, five linemen project to make the roster: Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, Justin Eboigbe, Nick Barrett and Dalvin Tomlinson, with TeRah Edwards next in line. The group should see increased pass-rush opportunities under new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. The linebacker corps projects 10 spots — Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Troy Dye, Del’Shawn Phillips, Marlowe Wax, Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, Tuli Tuipulotu, Akheem Mesidor and Kyle Kennard — with Kennard, a 2025 fourth-round pick, taking the final spot over other contenders such as Junior Colson and Nadame Tucker. At cornerback, the projection lists Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, Cam Hart, Deane Leonard, Nikko Reed and Avery Smith, with Smith earning the final projected spot after standing out in camp. The safety group projects five spots for Derwin James Jr., Elijah Molden, RJ Mickens, Genesis Smith and Tony Jefferson.
