The Los Angeles Chargers' roster is loaded with star talent, but they had a number of compelling roster battles to sort out at training camp, including the backup quarterback job and the final wide receiver spot.
The running back position also offered some intrigue. In the end, the Chargers kept Josh Kelly and rookie Isaiah Spiller, cut bait with Larry Rountree and signed veteran Sony Michel to be Austin Ekeler's primary backup.
A forgotten position in today's NFL, the Chargers had a tough decision to make at fullback, too. That's not to say the position will get all that much usage this season, but fullbacks can be key special-teamers and short-yardage specialists.
When push came to shove, rookie Zander Horvath beat out Gabe Nabers for the lone fullback position on the 53-man roster and he seemingly wants a daily reminder of that as he took Nabers' now-former No. 40 jersey for himself.
We're not kidding.
A couple number changes: WR DeAndre Carter will wear No. 1 and FB Zander Horvath will wear No. 40.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 5, 2022
Chargers rookie Zander Horvath savagely took Gabe Nabers' jersey number after he made the 53-man roster.
What an absolutely savage move by Horvath. We're sure the rookie didn't mean anything personal against Nabers. As the Chargers' final selection of this year's draft, Horvath had to fight tooth and nail to make the team. Not to mention, he's adjusting to a new position after playing running back during his five years at Purdue.
In other words, the odds were stacked against Horvath to make the roster and he defied them. Why not give yourself a reminder of that for some extra motivation when you put on your practice and game jersey every day?
In 2020, Horvath led the Boilermakers with 746 all-purpose yards and compiled three 100-yard games to boot. As a senior, Horvath suffered a broken fibula in Week 2 but returned in time to play eight games and total 428 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns (all rushing).
See the pattern? This isn't the first time Horvath's had to overcome long odds to achieve something in his playing career.
Former #Purdue football player Zander Horvath, a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has earned the started fullback spot on the #Chargers' initial 53-man roster for the upcoming NFL season. https://t.co/nmQIPt2q6L
— D.J. Fezler (@DJFezler) August 30, 2022
Between making a faster-than-expected recovery from a broken leg and beating out Nabers, who had familiarity with the coaching staff on his side (he appeared in 26 games for LA between 2020 and 2021) in their preseason battle, bet against Horvath at your own risk, Chargers fans.
Again, Horvath may not see the field much for the Chargers, but fans have to love this killer mindset. A jersey choice might not seem like much at the surface, but it's clear the 23-year-old wants everyone to know why he made the team.