Chargers 53-man roster: Trey Lance will be Justin

Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh expertise arrived with a roster far more settled than last summer season, giving him room to additional form it in his image — a course of that has left him glad with the muse.

Set at operating back, Raheim Sanders and Kimani Vidal have been among 25 gamers waived by the Chargers on Tuesday forward of the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline.

The cuts also included eight veterans, most notably quarterback Taylor Heinicke and security Tony Jefferson.

Marred by accidents, the workforce positioned a number of gamers on injured reserve, with long snapper Josh Harris and defensive back Deane Leonard sidelined for at least 4 video games and linebacker Junior Colson misplaced for the season.

As last 12 months confirmed, “tis the season” for continued roster strikes — even after the initial roster is set. Last 12 months the Chargers’ entrance workplace traded for Heinicke and Elijah Molden and signed Teair Tart after the 53-man roster deadline. Harbaugh possible will be keen to see what “Chef [Joe] Hortiz is going to cook up” in the times forward.

Here’s a look at the Chargers’ initial 2025 roster:

Quarterback (2): Justin Herbert, Trey Lance

All eyes are on Herbert in his sixth season, making an attempt to shed the label of postseason underachiever, while some of his signal-calling friends — outlined by playoff success — stay a tier above. Harbaugh seems to have instilled confidence in Lance, who beat out Heinicke by exhibiting the expertise that once made him a top-three draft choose.

Running back (3): Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris, Hassan Haskins

L.A. welcomes a new operating back duo, with Hampton and Harris anticipated to carry a heavy workload in the run-oriented offense. Harris, who missed all of training camp while recovering from an eye injury, has been moved to the energetic roster, but his standing for Week 1 is unsure.

Haskins’ spot was solidified after Harbaugh described him as a “top core special teams player,” in a position that provides to his worth.

Fullback (1): Scott Matlock

A two-fer on the depth chart, Matlock will also serve as a stopgap on the line of defense once again.

Wide receivers (6): Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, Tre’ Harris, Keandre Lambert-Smith, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis

McConkey rewrote franchise rookie information last 12 months with 82 receptions and 1,149 yards for a workforce devoid of a clear-cut No. 1. Allen returned after a 12 months in Chicago, hoping at age 33 to show he’s still a dependable go-to option.

Harris, a second-round choose, confirmed flashes suggesting he may immediately compete for a beginning position on the skin. Lambert-Smith impressed coaches with sure palms and precision route operating, building rapport with Herbert. Muddied by inconsistency, Johnston stays in competition for targets, though what was once a assured share is way from secure. Davis doubles as a returner but will also continue to get offensive snaps as a gadget option.

Tight ends (4): Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden II, Tucker Fisk

Dissly, the only tight end to rating last season, led the place with 50 receptions for 481 yards. Conklin produced equally with the Jets, recording 51 receptions for 449 yards and 4 touchdowns. Gadsden may be an X-factor, pairing dimension, velocity and route-running to create a defensive mismatch. Fisk serves as the workforce’s reserve long snapper.

Offensive line (8): Joe Alt, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman, Mekhi Becton, Trey Pipkins III, Andre James, Jamaree Salyer, Austin Deculus

Chargers offensive lineman Joe Alt celebrates after a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in January.

(Candice Ward / Getty Images)

What was supposed to be a much-improved offensive line — with the inside, a legal responsibility last season, addressed — stays a query mark, as accidents pressured a reshuffle.

Alt, an all-rookie choice, anchors left sort out. Johnson begins at left guard after a transient experiment at heart. Bozeman is at heart, Becton at proper guard and Pipkins fills the precise sort out spot.

The depth behind the starters is razor-thin, with James overlaying heart. Salyer is a swing piece across a number of spots. Deculus was acquired from the Texans on Tuesday for a conditional 2027 seventh-round choose.

Defensive line (6): Teair Tart, Otito Ogbonnia, Da’Shawn Hand, Jamaree Caldwell, Justin Eboigbe, Naquan Jones

The deepest group on the roster is led by Ogbonnia and Tart, both of whom noticed vital motion last season. Third-round choose Caldwell, a 332-pounder with velocity and energy, may have the most important affect. Hand and Jones have been added in the offseason. Eboigbe will rotate in.

Edge rushers (5): Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, Caleb Murphy, Kyle Kennard

Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack follows a play during a wild-card loss to the Houston Texans in January.

(Maria Lysaker / Associated Press)

After another Pro Bowl season, Mack is anticipated to stay a drive off the sting, with only one factor on his thoughts: Super Bowl or bust. Tuipulotu, now a locker-room chief, is stepping into the position Joey Bosa held for practically a decade, after main the workforce in sacks (8.5) last season off the bench.

Murphy’s contributions on protection and particular groups secured his spot, while Kennard, a fourth-round choose, has been slower to modify and ranks decrease on the depth chart. Dupree, 32, provides another regular veteran presence.

Linebackers (4): Denzel Perryman, Daiyan Henley, Troy Dye, Marlowe Wax

Henley, close to the top of the league in tackles (147) last season, pairs velocity and ball abilities that set him up for another strong 12 months. Perryman, a Tenth-year professional who has battled accidents, will man the box alongside Henley.

Dye is slated behind the 2. Wax, an undrafted free agent, earned a roster spot with an excellent preseason, recording 18 tackles, two sacks and a pressured fumble.

Safeties (6): Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, RJ Mickens, Elijah Molden, Kendall Williamson, Cam Hart

James, an All-Pro choice, is prepared for Week 1 despite sitting out the preseason. Gilman shares related traits with his free-safety accomplice.

Molden spent camp rehabbing from accidents, including a damaged fibula and torn meniscus. Hart supplies versatility, enjoying both nickel and cornerback. Mickens, a rookie, can play free security, nickel and particular groups. Williamson was a observe squad participant last season.

Cornerbacks (6): Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, Benjamin St-Juste, Ja’Sir Taylor, Nikko Reed, Eric Rogers

Four starters have emerged this preseason: Still, a starter last 12 months; Taylor, who noticed rotational snaps; and Jackson and St-Juste, both offseason additions.

Reed, a long-shot undrafted free agent who never obtained a mix invite, turned heads with a breakout preseason. Rogers had two interceptions against the Saints but was sidelined after an injury on a kickoff.

Specialists (2): Ok Cameron Dicker, P JK Scott

Dicker ranked among the league’s most dependable kickers, making 39 of 42 field-goal makes an attempt and 33 of 36 additional factors in 2024. Scott completed in the top 10 in punts downed inside the 20.