The Los Angeles Chargers had a number of difficult decisions to make in the process of cutting their roster down to the intial 53 players.
To their credit, they were able to retrieve draft capital for a pair of players that, had they not made the roster, likely would've been snatched up on waivers— Avery Smith and TeRah Edwards. They also took a pair of gambles in allowing Kyle Kennard and Junior Colson to hit waivers, and those pieces ultimately found their way back to the practice squad when it was all said and done.
For now, those players who did not make the 53-man roster will be sidelined. But there's a reason Jim Harbaugh refers to it as the "opportunity squad." As soon as injury strikes or a room needs additional depth, Los Angeles isn't afraid to turn to the pieces it's kept in reserve.
These four players ultimately didn't make the cut, but there's a world where they all see run over the course of the upcoming campaign.
4 practice squad pieces who we could see elevated by the end of the season
1. Gregory Desrosiers, RB
Desrosiers, a UDFA running back out of Memphis, didn't flash much across the Chargers' first two preseason games. But his nine-carry, 118-yard showing against the Los Angeles Rams quickly turned things around for the young playmaker.
Although Los Angeles also chose to carry Amar Johnson on the practice squad, Desrosiers showed enough burst and open-field elusiveness that it's hard not to think he's the first man up behind Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal. If any of the three needs to miss time, and McDaniel ultimately values having that three-headed monster in the backfield, Desrosiers is a strong candidate to earn some snaps at the NFL level. Mitchell has missed the last six practices, and although he seems slated to be ready for Week 1, Desrosiers' opportunity may come sooner rather than later.
2. Nikko Reed, CB
Although Reed made the roster last season, he was ultimately limited in his role as the backup nickel behind Derwin James Jr., appearing in just five games and playing just 17% of the Chargers' defensive snaps in that span.
With the emergence of Smith and fellow UDFA Rodney Shelley in training camp this season, Reed was ultimately the cornerback left of the 53-man roster. But he has more upside in the course of the defense than Deane Leonard, who made the roster primarily as a special teams piece.
If there's an injury in the cornerback room, Reed is likely the first man up—unless the Chargers have faith in former first-round pick Kaiir Elam. But even on a week-to-week basis, we can likely expect Reed to make some cameos on the main roster as an elevated player, even if it's simply to provide additional insurance to a room that needs it.
3. Junior Colson, LB
Colson ultimately lost his roster battle to former UDFA Marlowe Wax, and Wax appears set to earn a major snap share heading into the regular season with the news that veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman will begin the campaign on the IR.
As of now, there likely isn't a role for Colson even with Perryman sidelined. The Chargers will turn to Daiyan Henley and Troy Dye as starters in the middle of the defense, and Wax will be given a chance to push for Dye's role. But if Perryman's absence is extended, the Chargers will likely be more than willing to give Colson some run on the main roster—especially because his development as a former third-round pick should still be a priority to them.
4. Andre Carter II, OLB
Carter had his work cut out for him when he joined the Chargers before their first preseason game. With UDFA Nadame Tucker making a push for the roster and both Kyle Kennard and Bud Dupree fighting to keep their spots, he was going to need a major showing if he wanted to stick even as a practice squad piece in Los Angeles.
Across three preseason appearances, he posted seven total pressures and five tackles, putting his athleticism and raw pass-rush power on display consistently.
It will be interesting to see how the Chargers want to handle their depth in the outside linebacker room and if there's ultimately space for a fifth edge rusher on the roster. Kennard remains on the practice squad, and Los Angeles just added Caleb Murphy as well, who appeared in nine games over the past two seasons for the team.
But Carter was impressive enough through training camp and the preseason that he could very well be the first man up if a need opens up for an additional pass rusher.
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