The Los Angeles Chargers, like every other team in the league, are required to cut their roster down to just 53 players ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The deadline to do so is on Tuesday afternoon, so Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz had some difficult decisions to make.
There were several positional battles to watch this preseason in Los Angeles, but none were more entertaining than the backup running back competition. Hassan Haskins, Nyhiem Miller-Hines, Raheim Sanders and Kimani Vidal were all in a dual to backup Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton.
Haskins, who has a rapport with Coach Harbaugh from their days together at Michigan, quickly established himself as the No. 3 running back. However, "Rocket" Sanders, Vidal and Miller-Hines were in a tight battle heading into the preseason finale.
Chargers waive exciting rookie RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders
Unfortunately, Sanders, who was a fan favorite this month, was waived by Los Angeles on Tuesday. Matt Zenitz from CBS Sports was the first to report this, which devastated Chargers fans because they felt he had earned the final spot in the team's running back room.
Zenitz also reported that the team was releasing Miller-Hines, which means that Vidal has seemingly won the battle to be the fourth running back on the Chargers' depth chart. Vidal was a sixth-round pick in 2024, whereas Miller-Hines was a last-minute addition and Sanders was a UDFA this year.
Sanders was electric at times for the Bolts this preseason, so there is a bit of worry that he won't return to Los Angeles once subjected to the waiver wire. After not suiting up in the Hall of Fame Game, Sanders recorded 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the final three preseason games.
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He also provided a bit of a spark as a receiver, catching five passes for 29 yards. He also showed that he is capable on special teams as a returner, which is important for a running back who is projected to be low on the depth chart.
However, Sanders will seemingly not get the chance to contribute this year in Los Angeles unless he is brought back on the practice squad and elevated to the active roster. Najee Harris' status is still in the air, but the release of both Miller-Hines and Sanders paints a clearer picture.
Ideally, Sanders returns to the practice squad, and the Chargers' rushing attack is dominant with both Harris and Hampton. But if the group sputters at all out of the gates, fans will quickly remind the coaching staff and front office of what they could have had with Sanders.