Breaking down each player on the initial 2024 Chargers practice squad

The LA Chargers have finalized their initial 15-man practice squad for the 2024 season. Some surprises were present, including the lack of a QB3 and two still open practice squad spots.

Another note is that S/CB JT Woods could wind up making it back to the practice squad after he was released in order to process the Hassan Haskins waiver claim. Let's breakdown each individual member of the first 15.

Breaking down each player on the Chargers practice squad:

WR Jaylen Johnson

Jaylen Johnson was unfortunately never going to have the offensive usage to match Brenden Rice or Simi Fehoko in order to make the roster. But he does bring special teams acumen. Johnson played 20 special teams snaps in the preseason, 13 of which came against Dallas.

Johnson was PFF's highest-graded Chargers' special teams performer with a 72.6. He also got usage on kick coverage, punt coverage, and kick returns. Clearly, Ryan Ficken sees him as an asset if his number is called up to the active roster on game day.

EDGE Andrew Farmer II

Andrew Farmer spent most of last season on the practice squad after signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent. He was called up to the active roster following Joey Bosa's season-ending injury in the Green Bay game. Farmer played 61 snaps on defense from Weeks 12-18.

Farmer also played a significant role on the Chargers' special teams in the back half of last season. He registered 17 special teams snaps vs. Dallas in the preseason finale. His ability to contribute on both defense and special teams should serve as insurance for potential longer-term injuries at the EDGE position.

Shaq Quarterman was signed earlier in the preseason as the Chargers bolstered their depth at LB following Nick Niemann's injury. Niemann landed on IR yesterday with the designation to return as the Chargers finalized their 53-man roster.

Quarterman didn't get much defensive run with the Jaguars in recent seasons, but played extended reps as a core special teamer. Depending on how the Chargers work out their gameday roster in Week 1 vs. the Raiders, he could be a player that gets promoted due to Niemann's injury.

RB Isaiah Spiller

Isaiah Spiller just didn't have the production to crack the Chargers' 53-man roster as he faced tough competition from sixth-round draft pick Kimani Vidal in addition Jaret Patterson. The preseason was disappointing for the Texas A&M product as he averaged just 1.3 yards per carry and had a fumble in his last game.

Still, Spiller did contribute more in a special teams capacity this offseason than he had previously. That might've been enough to win over the staff, in addition to the fact that Spiller is still just 23 years old.

DT C.J. Okoye (IPP)

C.J. Okoye retains his IPP practice squad spot from last season. He played well this preseason and looked like a different player in camp, per Morgan Fox and others in the defensive tackle room. What's notable about his IPP placement is that much like last year, the Chargers get to keep up to 17 total practice squad players. On their initial practice squad, LA has 15 total players.

Okoye's spot was likely locked in when the Chargers waived IPP WR Praise Olatoke earlier this offseason.

EDGE Tre'Mon Morris-Brash

Tre'Mon Morris-Brash had a standout preseason, including an interception and touchdown return in his final outing vs. the Cowboys. Many thought he'd initially be protected on the 53-man roster to avoid waivers. Luckily for Los Angeles, he made it back to the practice squad.

Like with Farmer, Morris-Brash is playable depth that is familiar with a lot of Jesse Minter's concepts. He worked really well as a pass rusher in the scheme this preseason, and it's easy to see a path for him to playing/developing over the next year. Morris-Brash had a sack, four pressures, five run stops, and four tackles in his 2024 preseason campaign in addition to his INT.

OG Karsen Barnhart

Karsen Barnhart was very experienced with Jim Harbaugh's regime at Michigan and will continue working with him in the pros. He totaled 47 preseason snaps and allowed three pressures. He'll provide some guard depth as he was the lone true interior player signed to the practice squad.

OT Alex Leatherwood

It was a battle between Alex Leatherwood and Foster Sarell to make the roster. Unfortunately for Leatherwood, Sarell was able to beat him out with solid interior and outside play along the offensive line. The former first-round pick struggled in the preseason, allowing 11 pressures in just three games.

However, the Chargers clearly liked him enough to bring him back as tackle depth. Out of the names on the practice squad, this one strikes me as the weirdest presence on a merit basis.

CB Robert Kennedy

While Robert Kennedy is a corner by trade, he lined up everywhere for the Chargers this preseason. In addition to some strong safety reps, Kennedy also played both slot and outside corner. That versatility doesn't go unnoticed in a Jesse Minter defense.

Kennedy had a big game in his final preseason appearance vs. Dallas where he came up with this interception:

WR Cornelius Johnson

Cornelius Johnson makes the practice squad as another Michigan staple along with Barnhart. Johnson was hit or miss as a receiver in most of camp and preseason, as he didn't gain much ground in the roster WR race compared to Fehoko or Rice. He had a pretty bad drop against the Rams but finished his preseason with a solid enough effort against the Cowboys.

If called up to the active roster at some point, Johnson probably would get some special teams play given his camp in addition to his usage at Michigan.

LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste

This pick is a little bit perplexing. The Chargers opted to not bring Shane Lee back despite flashing as a tackler and ultimately getting more preseason run than Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste.

But Jean-Baptiste did play 50 defensive snaps in addition to 13 defensive snaps against Dallas on Saturday. If that was his final audition, it seems like it went quite well for his practice squad prospects over the other potential linebackers vying for those spots.

DT Christopher Hinton

Christopher Hinton will be running it back with the Chargers' 2024 practice squad as he was with the team last year. This time, he'll be coached by Harbaugh and Mike Elston-just like he was in college.

Hinton played in the final three games for LA last season and got extended reps in July and August. He played 92 snaps in three games, good enough for the ninth-highest usage on the Chargers' defense in the preseason.

CB Matt Hankins

Matt Hankins had a standout moment against the Cowboys this weekend with a forceful interception in coverage that may have clinched his spot on the practice squad.

Hankins previously played with Atlanta before spending most of last year on the practice squad with the Chargers. He allowed a low 67.4 opposing passer rating in coverage this preseason.

TE Tucker Fisk

Tucker Fisk makes the practice squad after being held out of the last preseason game due to injury. He made his impression felt against the Rams with some critical blocks that sprung the Chargers' best rushing output game of the preseason. 19 of his 22 snaps were effectively as a TE/FB hybrid in run support.

If he's ever called up to a game this year, it's because the Chargers needed more run blocking that week.

TE Luke Benson

It made sense to have two tight ends on the practice squad after the Chargers went a little slimmer on the active roster with just three. Luke Benson wasn't quite as noteworthy in the preseason games, but by all accounts had a solid camp. Some more special teams TE/FB type depth here.

As noted earlier, more shuffling and moving will probably be coming for the Chargers' active roster and practice squad, especially after the trade acquisition of Elijah Molden. With two open practice squad spots left, it'll be interesting to see how the Chargers use them.