3 winners (and 3 losers) from Chargers' preseason win over Cowboys

The LA Chargers finished their preseason in the win column after a victory in Dallas. With plenty of names close to the cut line, it was a pivotal moment for some LA players in jeopardy of missing the roster.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged after the game that the creation of the 53-man roster after the game will be challenging as he continues to "play the Robin" to GM Joe Hortiz's "Batman".

After the teams' preseason curtain call, some players last impressions stood out more than others.

Winners and losers from Chargers' preseason win over Cowboys:

Winner: S Tony Jefferson

It has been a relatively quiet offseason for Tony Jefferson. He was signed during the team's minicamp in June and spent a lot of training camp running with the third team. But with JT Woods being moved to corner and Thomas Harper not playing on Saturday, a door creaked open for the former Ravens' safety to have a moment.

And that he did. 14 tackles, a sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, two PBUs, and two interceptions will certainly catch the attention of the coaching staff. Harbaugh called Jefferson's performance "sensational" after the game. In regards to the safety room, he also said that "statements were made":

The Chargers have been looking for someone to step up into the fourth safety role behind Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, and AJ Finley. While it's not guaranteed that it will be Jefferson on the 53-man roster after last night, the odds seem to have certainly shifted in his favor over Woods or Harper.

After taking a year off, the physicality and tactful coverage mind of the 10-year NFL vet were on display in Dallas.

Loser: QB Easton Stick

No one can take away the touchdown to Simi Fehoko from Easton Stick. It was a nice 78-yard strike that breathed some life into what has otherwise been an underwhelming preseason for the Chargers' backup quarterback.

Aside from that score, however, it was another rough outing for Stick. On his other 28 passes, Stick went 11/28 with 109 yards, an interception, and a sack. He had a number of balls tipped in addition to a Jaret Patterson throw on the goal line in where he never saw the Cowboys' defender coming through with pressure and PBU.

Stick cumulative stats through the three games of the 2024 preseason: 25/55, 45% completion, 303 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and a fumble on the goal line.

In a world where the NDSU product seemed like he was going to clinch the backup job early in the preseason, Stick's performances have opened up conversations about the Chargers potentially testing the market for a backup QB.

Winner: EDGE Tre'Mon Morris-Brash

Tre'Mon Morris-Brash has quietly made his impact felt. A pick-six on Trey Lance to effectively seal the game added to his quality resume so far in the training camp and preseason period.

Morris-Brash finishes the preseason with six tackles, a sack, an interception and a touchdown, plus three pass deflections. DC Jesse Minter has raved about him in numerous offseason press conferences as one of the undrafted free agents that has stuck out to him.

With Chris Rumph nursing an injury that could be long-term, there's a spot for Morris-Brash on the roster if the Chargers are to keep five EDGE players. That's a big if, but Los Angeles may not want to play games with their breakout UDFA player potentially hitting waivers.

Loser: WR Brenden Rice

Right now, we're not sure how many WR spots the Chargers plan on keeping. But the number of permutations of the 53-man roster that have Brenden Rice on them probably decreased after a rather uneventful preseason for the seventh-round draft pick. Rice had just one reception on seven targets in three games.

Now of course, as even Roman implied in his media availability last week, Rice not getting the ball that often is tied to the teams' dismal quarterback play. But the former USC star started every preseason game and failed to put up production that matched his performances in training camp.

The rise of Simi Fehoko in this preseason is directly tied to the fate of Rice as well. If Fehoko is inching closer to a roster lock, the Chargers would have to keep seven wideouts in order to keep their 2024 seventh-round selection. And even if Rice is kept in that capacity, his presence on gameday rosters could wind up being rather minimal if he is to bounce between the practice squad and the main roster throughout the season.

Winner: WR Simi Fehoko

After last week's performance, Harbaugh said that Fehoko was "separating himself" from the rest of the receivers. That only continued in preseason Week 3 as Fehoko reeled in a 78-yard strike to finish the game with two catches, 85 yards, and a miraculous score in which he maintained body control to find the end zone:

He also reportedly watched the second half in "street clothes" per ESPN's Kris Rhim. In addition to other players resting in the second half or not playing this game in general, that's a pretty good indication of where the coaching staff stands in regards to Fehoko.

Fehoko essentially had to have to perfect training camp and preseason to make the roster after the Chargers drafted three wide receivers and signed D.J. Chark. And he did just that, finishing his preseason campaign with seven catches for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Loser: RB Isaiah Spiller

Like the aforementioned Fehoko, Isaiah Spiller was another player who entered this offseason with little margin for error. The Chargers signed Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins while drafting Troy's Kimani Vidal. Vidal did not suit up to play on Saturday, seemingly an indication that the coaching staff was comfortable with where he was after last week's breakout game.

That essentially left Jaret Patterson, Elijah Dotson, and Spiller to fight it out for that last RB4 spot on the roster (if there is to be one). Spiller had just three carries for one yard and a fumble. His cumulative preseason stats: 10 carries, 13 yards, 1.3 yards per carry, and said fumble.

In an offseason where he had to find a way to stand out, Spiller just never did. In addition to Vidal's placement on the roster post-draft, it's clear that even Patterson won over the coaching staff more than Spiller as well. The 2022 fourth-round draft selections' time in LA seems to be coming to a close.