At this point, the scope of many of the Los Angeles Chargers' position battles have been set.
At outside linebacker, the Chargers have three defined starters in Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor looked promising in his first preseason showing, and there will be plenty of times where new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary seizes the opportunity to have all three defenders on the field.
Beyond that, UDFA Nadame Tucker, who was one of the most productive pass rushers in college last season under O'Leary at Western Michigan, is pushing for a spot on the 53-man roster. As he continues to show promise, it will come down to either Kyle Kennard or Bud Dupree being waived if Tucker is going to get his opportunity.
But last week, the Chargers shook up the room (albeit minimally) with their signing of OLB Andre Carter II. It was the corresponding move to their release of WR Mante Morrow, and it likely has very few implications for the shape of the room come Week 1.
Carter still has a chance to carve out a practice squad role, though, and ESPN's Kris Rhim noted on X after yesterday's practice that the 26-year-old pass rusher was one of the most impressive players on the field as the Chargers returned to training camp action.
Although Carter's path to the 53-man roster is almost certainly barricaded, a strong showing over the rest of training camp could change the landscape of how Los Angeles ultimately determines its practice squad spots.
Andre Carter II has already started his push to stay with the Chargers— and he has a real chance to stick as a PS candidate
Carter, who came into the league as a UDFA with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, has bounced between practice squads to this point in his NFL Career. He spent 2024 and 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Detroit Lions, and the Miami Dolphins.
He signed a futures contract with the Washington Commanders late last season only to be released after a short stint with the squad during their offseason program.
But not all hope is lost for Carter. Although he hasn't been able to crack a roster through his three NFL seasons, the physical tools are there. At 6'6" and 256 lbs, he has the range and the athleticism to, at the very least, be a disruptive run defender off the edge.
He put that on display in Los Angeles' preseason opener against the Texans, posting a pressure, a batted pass, and a tackle in just 20 total snaps. But in practice yesterday, he showed even further upside, recording 2 would-be sacks in team drills. Players aren't allowed to truly hit the quarterback during training camp, but Carter recorded solid reps against the third-team offensive line.
Whether the Chargers are willing to include Carter—or his counterpart Garmon Randolph—on the practice squad likely comes down to whether Kennard or Dupree is released. The Chargers spent fourth-round draft capital on Kennard just last offseason, and they'd likely aim to keep him as a developmental piece if he were to miss the 53-man roster. Dupree, meanwhile, would likely look to seek out a fresh opportunity with a team in need of depth off the edge as he enters his age-33 season.
With the spots they'll need to dedicate to their offensive line and their cornerback room, it's unlikely Los Angeles is willing to keep more than one edge rusher on the practice squad.
Carter has a steep hill to climb if he wants to be that piece. But he's made about as solid an impression as one could hope for over his first week in a Chargers uniform.
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