The Chargers kick off their third preseason game of the season on Saturday, clashing with the crosstown Rams as they do every August.
The two Los Angeles teams had to cancel joint practices this year because of injury issues on the Chargers’ side, but Jim Harbaugh announced this week that most of his starters will suit up on Saturday for a series or two to get up to speed.
Here’s a trio of offensive players to keep an eye on in the game.
QB Justin Herbert
Herbert will make his preseason debut on Saturday, as the franchise quarterback has actually never taken a preseason snap up to this point. His 2020 rookie preseason was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and by 2021, his starting spot was so cemented that the Chargers sat him to prevent injury. But Herbert was the one who approached Harbaugh about playing this preseason, and the starters reportedly would have taken the field against the Saints last week had Rashawn Slater not been injured in practice.
While Herbert will likely only get 6-8 snaps all game, it’ll be a nice and early opportunity to see how the Chargers quarterback is taking command of the offense entering Year 2 of the Greg Roman system.
OT David Sharpe
Los Angeles spent the roster spot freed up by placing Slater on injured reserve with Sharpe, who spent a portion of the 2024 season on the Jets practice squad and has played 630 snaps in six NFL seasons. The assumption is that the veteran will enter the year as the swing tackle behind Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins III, but Saturday will be the first look at how Sharpe looks in game action for the Bolts. Without many other options on the roster – the likes of Corey Stewart and Ryan Nelson have not separated themselves much – Sharpe will likely mostly be fending off those on the 53-man roster bubble in other NFL buildings.
RB Kimani Vidal
After a nice showing in the Hall of Fame Game, Vidal was overshadowed last week by undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders, who made his Chargers debut after missing the Hall of Fame Game with an injury. Vidal and Sanders are locked in a tight battle for RB4 currently, as Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton are roster locks. Hassan Haskins is too valuable as a returner and special teamer to be left off at this juncture.
Granted, if Harris – who hasn’t practiced for all of camp after suffering an eye injury – starts the season on the Non-Football Injury list, then both Vidal and Sanders can make the 53-man roster and extend the competition another month. But in the meantime, both need to win on the margins. Vidal has taken a step forward as a pass blocker and special teams contributor, and it’ll be interesting to track how he responds on Saturday after Sanders’ strong game last week.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 3 offensive Chargers players to watch vs. Rams
Reporting by Alex Katson, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
