Jim Harbaugh wants to see improvement from

It’s decision-making time.

With a 53-man roster needing to be finalized by Sunday, the Chargers wrap up the preseason against the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Chargers appeared sloppy in their 41-17 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, following an inspiring 27-7 highway win over the Houston Texans, and now goal for a better on-field product in their closing tuneup.

“Just want it to be crisp [and] clean,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Want to see improvement. … Everybody doing what they’re supposed to do.”

Here are 4 issues to watch for — from the Chargers’ perspective — during Thursday’s recreation at 7 p.m. PDT (CBS, KCAL).

Who rises or falls as roster cuts loom?

The stress is on for gamers on the bubble of incomes a roster spot.

“From a player standpoint, how you feel, it’s so important it’s like life or death,” Harbaugh said. “Your football life is at stake; your lifestyle’s at stake, your job. That’s how important it is to the individual player. And then, to the team — I use the analogy [of] a deck of cards [and] the shuffle — you’re trying to create your best hand.”

How many offensive linemen will the Chargers keep in the wake of beginning heart Tyler Biadasz’ season-ending left knee injury? Which linebacker will flip heads enough to earn a spot? Which wideout or defensive back will actually and figuratively drop the ball?

Left guard competitors

It seems the beginning left guard spot is all but Kayode Awosika’s.

“Kayode has kind of taken the lead,” offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said. “It’s almost his job to lose, just because of his growth in the last two weeks.”

Awosika wants to seal his top spot on the depth chart, so keep an eye on him. With Jake Slaughter turning into the Chargers’ beginning heart, their depth at left guard after Awosika is slim.

McDaniel talked about that Trey Pipkins is still in the combination for the beginning left guard spot. But Awosika most likely would have to play terribly for that debate to choose up steam.

Trey Lance vs. DJ Uiagalelei

Chargers quarterback Trey Lance passes against the 49ers on Aug. 20.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

The competitors is fierce for the position of Justin Herbert’s backup.

Lance and Uiagalelei have each seen related quantities of motion throughout training camp, and neither appears to have an benefit so far.

Whoever appears better against the Rams may secure QB2 on the depth chart, while the other will probably obtain a practice-squad alternative, if not a shot elsewhere.

“I feel like I’ve made strides,” Uiagalelei said. “Each and every day I go out there, I try to get better [and] attack a certain thing.”

Although each signal-caller is still in the hunt for No. 2, Lance does have expertise in McDaniel’s offense from their shared time with the 49ers. A good displaying from Lance might be enough to keep him in the same place he held last season.

“I’m talking to [McDaniel] more than I did when I was in San Francisco,” Lance said. “He hasn’t changed — same energy, same guy.”

Real glimpse of starters?

Most of the Chargers’ starters didn’t play against the Texans. And against the 49ers, they called it a recreation after one collection.

Harbaugh said starters might be in for six to 9 performs against the Rams.

“It’s been a good camp so far,” particular groups coordinator Ryan Ficken said. “Ups and downs; some things we’ve been learning [and] going through; some good plays, some bad, obviously; coming off last week’s game, obviously wasn’t the expectations we were hoping for … but again, it’s a learning process.”