Skip to main content

Chargers Face Tough Decisions Ahead of Final Roster Cutdown Day

The Chargers must cutdown their roster to 53 players by Tuesday.

The Chargers have wrapped up their training camp and preseason schedule, turning the page to the start of the regular season. 

But before they begin practice for the week, preparing for the Raiders who they'll see in Week 1 in 14 days, they must finalize their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT.

It's been a competitive camp all throughout, and with that comes tough decisions on the horizon.

Here are four roster decisions that loom ahead of the final cutdown day:

What does Michael Bandy's future look like?

The Chargers entered camp with five steady wide receivers expected to make the team. But the emergence of Michael Bandy has made it a legitimate question of whether or not they should keep a sixth wide receiver on the roster.

Bandy has turned in a terrific camp, finding success during team period drills in practice and during the three preseason games. He finished the preseason as the Chargers' leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Bandy is also capable of returning kicks and punts on special teams, giving the coaching staff and front office another aspect of his game to think about when determining his future.

Is it worth keeping a fourth tight end?

Donald Parham Jr., who's pegged to serve as the primary backup tight end behind starter Gerald Everett, is dealing with a hamstring injury that has sidelined him the last three weeks.

If Parham is unable to suit up for the season opener, that would leave the Chargers short-handed at tight end with just two healthy options. That could open the door for Hunter Kampmoyer to make the team, but the Chargers' decision makers will have to weigh the options if that holds more weight over keeping a fourth edge rusher or sixth cornerback.

How many edge rushers do they need for depth purposes?

Assuming good health, the Chargers will heavily utilize Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack off the edge. They also posses Chris Rumph and Kyle Van Noy as depth options. Granted, Van Noy will see a bulk of playing time at inside linebacker, but his versatility will be put to the test.

So that begs the question: is there a benefit of keeping a fourth true edge player? Jamal Davis has flashed in the preseason, showing solid efforts in run support and the ability to bust into the backfield and apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks. But on the flip-side, the duo of Bosa and Mack are arguably the best one-two punch among edge rushers in the NFL, making Davis' value to the team undetermined with the starters expected to take on a large volume of the snaps.

Does Deane Leonard's rocky training camp and preseason keep him on the roster?

The Chargers could be short-handed at cornerback to start the year if J.C Jackson's ankle isn't healed following a procedure done on Tuesday. He's expected back for return in two to four weeks, making his start to the season unclear.

Therefore, the Chargers could opt to keep an additional cornerback in the event that Jackson isn't fully healthy. Seventh-round pick Deane Leonard is in the mix to round out the cornerback group, but that doesn't go without saying, there have been some fundamental flaws that have become apparent during camp and the preseason.


More from Charger Report

Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Charger Report. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCothrel for more Chargers coverage.