Thursday’s blowout win over the Houston Texans didn’t just give the Chargers another preseason victory. It also sharpened the roster picture for a handful of players trying to carve out a place in Los Angeles.
That’s the real value of nights like this. The final score will fade once the regular season arrives, but the individual performances in Houston gave coaches plenty to think about as roster battles continue to tighten.
Jahmeer Carter was one of the clearest winners. The undrafted defensive lineman stood his ground all game and kept showing up around the football, finishing with two tackles for loss and a sack.
In a deep defensive line room full of established talent, that kind of disruption matters. Carter gave the Chargers a reason to keep watching him closely.
Jake Slaughter also helped himself. The former Florida Gator showed off his versatility at left guard after coming into college as a center, and he made his case as a possible answer on Justin Herbert’s left side.
He adjusted well throughout the game, helped extend plays, and contributed in the run game too. It was the kind of outing that can keep a rookie moving up the coaches’ list.
Keandre Lambert-Smith made his mark as a receiver and then added value in the return game. He led the Chargers in catches and was a steady early target, finishing with 58 yards and a 28-yard kickoff return. For a player who had just five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown across 10 games, that was a real step forward.
Marlowe Wax didn’t pile up huge numbers, but he was productive in the spots that mattered. He logged three total tackles, one pass deflection, and one quarterback hit, with his coverage work standing out most.
He also posted the highest Pro Football Focus grade among Chargers defenders, which backed up what showed up on the field against Davis Mills. As he continues to fight for a place in the linebacker rotation, he’ll need more nights like this.
Amar Johnson has also started to make things interesting. The running back is trying to break through in a crowded room, and after coming out of Packers training camp empty handed, he has plenty to prove.
According to Omar Navarro on Chargers.com, Jim Harbaugh said: "Amar Johnson, shoutout to him." That kind of praise from the head coach is not something to brush off.
Johnson is trending in the right direction, and if he keeps building on this momentum, he could push his way onto the Chargers’ 53-man roster.
DJ Uiagalelei rounded out the group of players who boosted their stock. The second-year quarterback came into the opener with a lot to show as he battles for the backup job, and he delivered with both his arm and his athleticism.
He threw a three-yard touchdown and completed a 55-yard pass, making a clear case that he can be more than just a camp arm. If Justin Herbert ever goes down, Uiagalelei showed he could be a reliable option.
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Amar Johnson Just Turned Up The Heat In The Chargers Backfield
Amar Johnson spent the preseason game against Houston showing why the Chargers backfield is starting to feel crowded in a hurry. He handled six carries for 17 yards and added two catches for 68 yards, flashing the kind of versatility that can make a young running back stand out when roster spots are at a premium.
Johnson also gave Los Angeles a look at what he can do as a receiver, which matters in a room that already includes Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, Greg DeRosiers and Jared Patterson. The Chargers are sorting through a lot of competition at one position, and Johnsons night at least made the conversation a little more complicated. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Front Seven Could Steal L.A. Bragging Rights From The Rams
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Training camp has only sharpened that view, with the Chargers front seven drawing steady attention as a group that could change the way the race for L.A. bragging rights looks this fall. First-round pick Akheem Mesidor has been part of that buzz, and the broader expectation is that both defenses should be better at getting to the quarterback. For the Chargers, the question is whether a less flashy offseason can still translate into the kind of pass-rush improvement that makes the rest of the city notice. [Read more 🡒]