3 Chargers who desperately need good showings in preseason Week 2 vs Rams

The LA Chargers play the second of three preseason games on Saturday as the team will continue its tradition of squaring off against the Los Angeles Rams. The outcomes of these games certainly do not matter but there is a lot to play for on an individual level.

Whether it be the select starters who play trying to get up to speed for the regular season or the fringe roster players who are trying to secure a job, there are many players who are playing for big things in the preseason.

Some players need to piece together good games more than others, too. Preseason Week 2 might not be the end of the line before the regular season but there are several Chargers players who should be treating it as such.

3 Chargers who desperately need a good showing in preseason Week 2 vs Rams:

Easton Stick, QB

Easton Stick went out and had one of the worst games imaginable in the first preseason game of the year. The Chargers' backup quarterback completed just five of his 13 attempts for 31 yards with one interception against the Seahawks.

Any worries fans had about Stick being a proper backup quarterback were amplified after the first preseason game of the year. Normally, this would not matter much as the Chargers have one of the premier quarterbacks in the sport, Justin Herbert.

However, Herbert's lingering foot injury opens the door to potentially miss time at some point in the 2024 season. If Herbert has to miss some time the Chargers need a backup quarterback that can at least keep the season afloat.

Stick has not proven he can be that guy and with another bad showing against the Rams, the Chargers coaching staff could explore more external options.

Isaiah Spiller, RB

Third-year running back Isaiah Spiller has not lived up to his potential thus far in his career. Spiller was hardly active in his first season with the team and wasn't able to add much to his resume in year two in 2023.

Spiller looked like more of the same in the first preseason game of the year as he was wildly ineffective running the ball. Granted, a big explanation for that was shoddy offensive line play and conservative play-calling but it still was not a good outing for the former Texas A&M back.

With Jaret Patterson putting together a good camp and sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal having real two-way potential, Spiller's spot on the roster is far from a guarantee. His special teams reps do not guarantee anything and if Spiller is going to make the roster he needs to turn it around, starting with the Rams.

JT Woods

The 2022 NFL Draft does not look great for the Chargers in hindsight as in addition to Spiller's struggles, the team also hasn't gotten anything out of third-round pick JT Woods. Woods was viewed as a reach at the time as the Chargers were banking on developing off his intangibles and that has been a failure thus far.

A new coaching staff in Los Angeles gives Woods an opportunity to access untapped potential. But it also removes his existing ties to the organization. Without the coaching staff or front office who drafted him, Woods is suddenly a candidate to miss the roster entirely.

As it stands right now that is a real threat to the young safety. AJ Finley has firmly established himself as the third safety on the depth chart, which means Woods has to battle it out with veteran Tony Jefferson for the final safety spot on the roster.

After a forgettable performance against the Seahawks, Woods must make some kind of mark against the Rams on Saturday.