The preseason 2024 for the LA Chargers has concluded with a win over the Cowboys on Saturday in Dallas. After two preseason games where the offense could not get their act together if they tried, the Bolts finally found progress on that side of the ball, especially in the first half.
With quarterback Justin Herbert cleared to return (after having a terrific week of practice) ahead of the September 8 kickoff against the Raiders in LA, and an expected strong running game on the way, the offense should be much improved over what we’ve seen in the preseason.
The defense on Saturday showed their promise yet again as Jesse Minter brought blitz after blitz and the squad forced six turnovers. Through three preseason games, the Bolts have shown that the defense is much improved over last year’s effort (and most of the team’s real stars have yet to see game action).
Even though the defense has often been “bend, but don’t break”, it will be very hard to score on. This defense has proven to be stingy and that should scare the rest of the AFC West. This team has real defensive depth.
With the preseason concluded, now the focus turns to trimming the team’s roster down to the 53-man roster ahead of Tuesday’s 1 p.m. PT deadline. While many players will have to sweat it out and wonder about their fate, some will not. Here are 3 players who look to have locked up roster spots after the preseason.
3 Chargers who clinched a roster spot in preseason finale:
Tony Jefferson - Safety
Saturday’s game was a statement game for the veteran safety who is trying to make the final roster in the twilight of his career. After coming out of retirement to play for another Harbaugh, Jefferson has had a strong offseason with the team. And he became the story of the defense Saturday in Dallas.
Jefferson had 8 tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, an interception and a forced fumble, which would be a strong game for any member of the defensive secondary. That these stats came all in the first half of the game was a statement that this was a man on a mission.
The first half simply belonged to the 32-year-old who looks to be a key staple in Jesse Minter’s defense. And in the second half, Jefferson continued his punishment of the Cowboys with more tackles and a second interception at 6:48 in the third quarter picking off a Trey Lance pass in the endzone.
Any debate or question about Jefferson is now over: he is making this team and Jesse Minter/Jim Harbaugh must be excited about what the defensive back will bring to this team in 2024.
Simi Fehoko – Wide Receiver
Anyone wondering whether Simi Fehoko’s impressive preseason would land him a roster spot, Saturday’s game left no doubt. Fehoko’s 78-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter brought the team their first offensive touchdown of the preseason.
In three games, Fehoko has led the team’s receiver corps in receptions and in yards and gave life to an offense that desperately needed it on Saturday. He has also proven to be a strong blocker and has earned praise from head coach, Jim Harbaugh. Coming into this game Harbaugh heaped praise on Fehoko.
Already on a trajectory to making the roster, Saturday’s game closed that book. Simi Fehoko will be a part of this team’s roster, and the odds are becoming strong that he could make a real contribution during the 2024 season for the Bolts.
Jarret Patterson – Running Back
One of the key questions for the team’s offense is who will be the third back on the running back depth chart? Perhaps another question should be, instead of deciding between Kimani Vidal and Jarret Patterson, why not keep both? Last week belonged to Vidal but Saturday’s game was Patterson’s.
In his previous preseason games, Patterson was averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Saturday’s game improved that average as Patterson 5.6 yards per carry and 28 yards on six attempts and a pass reception. Patterson was without question the most effective back against Dallas, save for Derius Davis’ electrifying 70-yard touchdown play early in the game.
No other running back even came close to his production as Isaiah Spiller (who should be nervous about his status after this preseason) and Elijah Dotson were virtually missing in action. With both Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins returning to the team ahead of kickoff in two weeks and given both men’s injury history, running back depth is crucial to this team. Kimani Vidal has seemingly locked up his spot, and following Saturday Jarret Patterson has too.
Following an exciting offseason that brought new hope to fans of the LA Chargers, the first preseason of the Jim Harbaugh era is in the books for the team. Now comes the hard part. NFL Kickoff on September 8 will so be here, and the team will turn to game planning for the Raiders next week, what that final roster will look like will soon be known. What we can bet on is that these 3 men will be part of the 2024 team.
No more waiting, the NFL season is next!