kayode awosika

After an ugly loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, Jim Harbaugh wanted to see a better showing from his team in its final preseason test.

The third-year coach had his wish somewhat granted, as the Chargers presented several encouraging performances in a 20-18 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday.

“It was important football being played,” Harbaugh said. “Many good things. Lot of good. … “I liked the response from the entire team from Week 2 to Week 3 of the preseason.”

Here are five takeaways from the Chargers’ final tune-up before 53-man rosters must be finalized Sunday:

Starters show up

The Chargers’ starters on defense, without safety Derwin James Jr. and outside linebacker Khalil Mack, did its part against the Rams’ second-stringers.

Chris O’Leary’s unit forced a punt on its first drive. And despite the Rams’ second drive starting at the Chargers’ 14-yard line, the defense limited the damage to three points.

“I just felt the energy,” outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu said. “That’s what I felt from [our] defense.”

Mike McDaniel’s bunch, meanwhile, started on the wrong foot. Quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled a handoff to running back Omarion Hampton on the Chargers’ second play from scrimmage, leading to a Rams field goal.

Herbert and the starting offense, though, made sure they left something pleasing on film. On the second play of the Chargers’ second possession, Herbert connected with wide receiver Quentin Johnston over the middle on a sensational 65-yard touchdown pass.

“I knew it was a touchdown,” said wideout Ladd McConkey. “I looked up [and] saw Q running free, so I knew he was going to make a play.”

Herbert’s pass traveled 57.6 air yards, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

“Double wow,” Harbaugh said.

DJ Uiagalelei outduels Trey Lance

Lance, the incumbent backup quarterback, used his legs well and earned 22 yards on four rushes. Uiagalelei, however, looked like he could become the Chargers’ new backup signal-caller.

Uiagalelei made some nice, quick reads and completed 11 of 18 passes for 141 yards. He lost a fumble to seal the loss, though, after being strip-sacked by Rams outside linebacker Darryl Peterson.

“I felt solid out there,” Uiagalelei said. “I mean, I wish we would’ve won, man. … I’m pretty frustrated, pretty upset. … Just tough to go out like that on a fumble.”

Lance, who’s more familiar with McDaniel’s system from their shared time in San Francisco, looked rushed on most of his snaps and didn’t connect on his two throws, one of which was a drop by Derius Davis.

There hasn’t been much separation between Lance and Uiagalelei throughout training camp, but the St. John Bosco product was better on Thursday.

Rookies Rodney Shelley, Greg Desrosiers Jr. make strong cases

Shelley, an undrafted cornerback, and Desrosiers, an undrafted running back, are on the bubble of making the Chargers’ 53-man roster.

Even with an unnecessary roughness penalty in the fourth, Shelley made his reps count, making five tackles and breaking up a deep pass from Rams quarterback Ty Simpson intended for Tyler Scott.

Desrosiers erupted for 118 yards on nine rushes, including a 34-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

“I kind of just put in my heart to go out there and ball,” Desrosiers said. “I feel like I did everything I needed to do to kind of put all the teams on notice [and] put the front office here on notice. And hopefully I’ve made it hard for them to make the decision.”

Left guard race still going?

Kayode Awosika is the favorite to win the Chargers’ starting left guard job, and he played there during the first two series.

But when Lance and the second-stringers replaced the starters, Awosika moved to right guard. Trever Penning replaced Awosika at left guard.

“The entire preseason, with the offensive line, we like the way it’s coming together,” Harbaugh said.

Maybe Trey Pipkins III, who McDaniel said remained in the left guard competition, still has a shot. He played left tackle with the starters Thursday. Another candidate, Logan Taylor, started at right tackle.

Special teams not sharp

Cameron Dicker missed an extra-point attempt in the Chargers’ preseason win over the Houston Texans. Scott made unfavorable headlines against the 49ers after an abysmal tackling effort during Jacob Cowing’s 83-yard punt return for a touchdown.

On Thursday, Dicker missed a 49-yard field goal to end the first half, a distance he’s usually sharp from. And Scott, although he didn’t have to make any tackles, shanked a punt 20 yards down the right sideline from the Chargers’ 9-yard line, setting up a 29-yard Rams touchdown drive.

Dicker was spotted going into the sideline medical tent early in the game for an undisclosed reason. But Harbaugh said it’s nothing to worry about.

“He’s the most accurate kicker in NFL history,” Harbaugh said. “That’s not something I’m worried about.”

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 night.

The Chargers looked sloppy in their 41-17 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, following an inspiring 27-7 road win over the Houston Texans, and now aim for a better on-field product in their final 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 four things to watch for — from the Chargers’ perspective — during Thursday’s game at 7 p.m. PDT (CBS, KCAL).

Who rises or falls as roster cuts loom?

The pressure is on for players on the bubble of earning 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 starting center Tyler Biadasz’ season-ending left knee injury? Which linebacker will turn heads enough to earn a spot? Which wideout or defensive back will literally and figuratively drop the ball?

Left guard competition

Chargers guard Kayode Awosika speaks during a news conference on June 8.

(William Liang / Associated Press)

It appears the starting 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 becoming the Chargers’ starting center, their depth at left guard after Awosika is slim.

McDaniel mentioned that Trey Pipkins is still in the mix for the starting left guard spot. But Awosika probably would have to play terribly for that debate to pick up steam.

Trey Lance vs. DJ Uiagalelei

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

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

The competition is fierce for the role of Justin Herbert’s backup.

Lance and Uiagalelei have each seen similar amounts of action throughout training camp, and neither seems to have an advantage so far.

Whoever looks better against the Rams could secure QB2 on the depth chart, while the other will likely receive a practice-squad opportunity, 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 experience in McDaniel’s offense from their shared time with the 49ers. A decent showing from Lance could be enough to keep him in the same position 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 game after one series.

Harbaugh said starters will be in for six to nine plays against the Rams.

“It’s been a good camp so far,” special teams 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.”

Coach Jim Harbaugh said roughly 15 starters won’t play in the Chargers’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans, and there are several spots on the depth chart that still need to be decided.

“The preseason games will give us a window of insight into where everybody is,” Harbaugh said.

Here are five position groups to monitor when the Chargers face the Texans on Thursday at 5 p.m. PDT (CBS, NFL+).

Left guard battle

Chargers offensive lineman Trey Pipkins (79) works out with his teammates during drills in June.

(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)

Who will line up to the left of center Tyler Biadasz remains to be determined.

A competition has been brewing all summer between rookie Jake Slaughter, Trey Pipkins, Kayode Awosika, Trevor Penning and Branson Taylor.

Slaughter appears to be in the lead, with Awosika and Taylor behind.

“Jake Slaughter had a great weekend,” Harbaugh said Tuesday. “If we were right up to the minute right now, [I] really liked [Slaughter’s] tape from the weekend — and his confidence. Like, he’s getting it.”

It’s a given that Biadasz will start at center, Cole Strange at right guard, Joe Alt at right tackle and Rashawn Slater at left tackle.

But the Chargers need someone to seize control of the left guard spot sooner rather than later.

“No one has eliminated themselves from the tournament,” offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said.

The list might be narrowed by Friday morning.

Tight end trio?

Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar takes part in drills at minicamp in June.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Unlike the left guard competition, the Chargers believe they have a three-headed monster at tight end with Charlie Kolar, David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden.

“They’re all great dudes,” Njoku said of the tight end room. “Everyone has their own thing … I think we complement each other and push each other to strive for greatness.”

Each has seen a good amount of reps in various packages throughout training camp, and all should see the field quite a bit during the regular season.

Perhaps the Chargers’ first preseason game — and who plays first, most or not at all during it — will indicate a pecking order.

Third safety

Chargers safety Genesis Smith goes through drills during rookie minicamp in May.

(William Liang / Associated Press)

Derwin James Jr. and Elijah Molden have their starting safety spots locked up. However, James is a Swiss Army Knife who often plays nickel, meaning the Chargers need a solidified third safety.

Who will be that guy?

“The standard is the standard,” James said of the defensive backs. “I feel like everyone’s going out there competing. We got a lot of depth. We got a lot of guys who can make a lot of plays. When their numbers [are] called, guys are stepping up. So, it’s good to see.”

It appears to be a three-way race between rookie Genesis Smith, Tony Jefferson and RJ Mickens.

Cutting corners

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) and cornerback Rodney Shelley run a drill during training camp on Aug. 1.

(William Liang / Associated Press)

Tarheeb Still is the Chargers’ No. 1 outside cornerback with Donte Jackson and Cam Hart following.

“I feel very comfortable and very confident,” Still said. “I think that’s just a credit to my coaches [and] my teammates. … I feel really good about where I’m at personally, and where the team and the defense is.”

But after that trio is a deep mix of options competing for spots on the 53-man roster.

Avery Smith and Rodney Shelley have impressed as undrafted rookies like Nikko Reed and Eric Rogers did in 2025. And Deane Leonard is probably a lock to stay in L.A. as a special-teamer.

So Thursday’s game will be pivotal, as teams rarely keep eight-plus cornerbacks; the Chargers kept seven last season.

“We always encourage each other,” Jackson said of the room. “No selfish demeanors on this team.”

Herbert insurance

Chargers quarterback Trey Lance throws during offseason workouts in May.

(William Liang / Associated Press)

Harbaugh said backup signal-callers DJ Uiagalelei and Trey Lance will each play one half against the Texans as they battle to be Justin Herbert’s primary replacement.

“Both have really acquitted themselves well,” Harbaugh said. “From what I’ve seen in practice, it’s going to be pretty close. They’re both good.”

Uiagalelei and Lance, once a pair of big-named prospects, have had their share of highs and lows throughout training camp. Each could use a good, live outing.