The Los Angeles Chargers have made the final adjustments to their 53 man roster and there is excitement brewing in Chargerland! The Bolts decided to go with an exciting (very fast) undrafted rookie wide receiver J.J. Jones out of West Georgia, who had a 72-yard punt return for a score in the second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. The 2018 Chargers face off with the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.
Here they are. ⚡️
Meet our 53-man roster » https://t.co/TM2w92CivG pic.twitter.com/kP2WuExYQ0
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) September 1, 2018
Here’s a look at the Chargers Depth Chart:
Quarterback (2): Philip Rivers, Geno Smith
Smith gives the Chargers an athletic, reliable backup that can run the offense on the slim chance the durable Rivers suffers an injury. After waiving him earlier this week, the Chargers brought back Cardale Jones to the practice squad, where he can continue to develop for another season.
Running back (3): Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler, Detrez Newsome
Melvin Gordon will be counted on to serve as the workhorse in the backfield, but Ekeler was one of the top performers in training camp.
Fullback (1): Derek Watt
The Wisconsin product has evolved as a pass-catcher and improved as a run blocker.
Wide receiver (6): Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin, Mike Williams, Geremy Davis, J.J. Jones.
It’s tough to see Artavis Scott placed on the injured reserve for the season with a leg injury, but it opened the door for Jones, an undrafted rookie out of West Georgia who had a 72-yard punt return for a score in the second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Tight end (3): Virgil Green, Antonio Gates, Sean Culkin
The return of Gates in free agency provides an experienced pass-catcher at this position group that knows the offense, while Green adds physicality in the running game.
Tackle (3): Russell Okung, Joe Barksdale, Sam Tevi
Chargers gave up a league-low 18 sacks last season, led by bookend tackles in Okung and Barksdale. Tevi, a sixth-round selection in last year’s draft, is one of the Bolts’ most athletic lineman.
Guard (3): Dan Feeney, Michael Schofield, Forrest Lamp
Lamp saw his first action since suffering an ACL knee injury in training camp last year in the final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, and appeared to get through the game healthy. Schofield remains the starter at right guard for now, but could get pushed for time by Lamp. However, Schofield also provides versatility as a swing tackle.
Center (3): Mike Pouncey, Scott Quessenberry, Cole Toner
The Chargers believe the addition of Pouncey will help them run the football more effectively and provide more leadership to a young offensive line room.
Defensive line (9): Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Brandon Mebane, Darius Philon, Damion Square, Justin Jones, Chris Landrum, Isaac Rochell, T.Y. McGill
Starting defensive tackle Corey Liuget will begin the season on the suspended list due to a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, so the Chargers have little depth at this position.
Inside linebacker (3): Denzel Perryman, Nick Dzubnar, Emmanuel Ellerbee
Perryman is one of the team’s best run defenders and a leader on defense. The Chargers are hopeful the Miami product can play a full, 16-game season for the first time in his four-year pro career. Dzubnar remains the team’s best special teams player.
Outside linebacker (4): Uchenna Nwosu, Kyzir White, Jatavis Brown, Kyle Emanuel
The Chargers are much more athletic at this position group with the addition of Nwosu and White through the draft. Emanuel can play both inside and outside linebacker.
Cornerback (6): Casey Hayward, Trevor Williams, Michael Davis, Desmond King, Craig Mager, Brandon Facyson
Besides receiver, cornerback is one of the deepest position groups on the roster. King, who will serve as the team’s slot defender in passing situations, also can play safety.
Safety (4): Jahleel Addae, Derwin James Jr., Rayshawn Jenkins, Adrian Phillips
Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is excited about the versatility and playmaking ability James brings to his defense. Phillips also is a versatile performer.
Specialists (3): Donnie Jones (P), Caleb Sturgis (K), Mike Windt (LS)
Punter Donnie Jones, 38, originally announced his retirement from the Eagles in February, but later decided he wanted to continue his lengthy NFL career. Philadelphia then released him from the reserve/retired list, giving Jones the opportunity to find another team. Jones, who hadn’t garnered any other known free agent interest, was solid in 2017, ranking 15th in yards per punt average and 16th in net average. He also placed 35.1 percent of his punts inside of the 20-yard line. won a training camp kicking battle with Roberto Aguayo, proving that he’s fully healthy after missing most of last season with a hip issue. In 62 career games over five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Eagles, Sturgis converted 81 percent of his field goals with a career-long of 55.
2018 Los Angeles Chargers 53 Man Roster:
OFFENSE
NO NAME POS AGE HT WT EXP COLLEGE
17 Philip Rivers QB 36 6-5 228 15 NC State
3 Geno Smith QB 27 6-3 221 6 West Virginia
30 Austin Ekeler RB 23 5-10 200 2 Western State Colorado
28 Melvin Gordon RB 25 6-1 215 4 Wisconsin
38 Detrez Newsome RB 24 5-10 210 R Western Carolina
34 Derek Watt FB 25 6-2 234 3 Wisconsin
13 Keenan Allen WR 26 6-2 211 6 California
12 Travis Benjamin WR 28 5-10 175 7 Miami
11 Geremy Davis WR 26 6-3 211 4 UConn
89 J.J. Jones WR 25 5-10 173 R West Georgia
10 Artavis Scott WR 23 5-11 195 1 Clemson
81 Mike Williams WR 23 6-4 220 2 Clemson
16 Tyrell Williams WR 26 6-4 205 4 Western Oregon
80 Sean Culkin TE 25 6-5 255 2 Missouri
85 Antonio Gates TE 38 6-4 255 16 Kent State
88 Virgil Green TE 30 6-5 255 8 Nevada
86 Hunter Henry TE 23 6-5 250 3 Arkansas
42 Austin Roberts TE 22 6-2 230 R UCLA
53 Mike Pouncey C 29 6-5 298 8 Florida
61 Scott Quessenberry C 23 6-4 310 R UCLA
64 Cole Toner C 24 6-5 300 2 Harvard
66 Dan Feeney G 24 6-4 310 2 Indiana
77 Forrest Lamp G 24 6-4 310 2 Western Kentucky
75 Michael Schofield III G 27 6-6 301 5 Michigan
72 Joe Barksdale OT 30 6-5 326 8 LSU
60 Zachary Crabtree OT 23 6-7 310 R Oklahoma State
76 Russell Okung OT 30 6-5 310 9 Oklahoma State
69 Sam Tevi OT 23 6-5 315 2 Utah
DEFENSE
NO NAME POS AGE HT WT EXP COLLEGE
99 Joey Bosa DE 23 6-5 280 3 Ohio State
54 Melvin Ingram DE 29 6-2 247 7 South Carolina
93 Darius Philon DE 24 6-1 300 4 Arkansas
98 Isaac Rochell DE 23 6-4 280 1 Notre Dame
91 Justin Jones DT 22 6-3 309 R NC State
94 Corey Liuget DT 28 6-2 300 8 Illinois
97 T.Y. McGill DT 25 6-0 299 4 NC State
92 Brandon Mebane NT 33 6-1 311 12 California
71 Damion Square NT 29 6-2 293 6 Alabama
57 Jatavis Brown LB 24 5-11 221 3 Akron
48 Nick Dzubnar LB 27 6-1 240 4 Cal Poly
55 Emmanuel Ellerbee LB 21 6-1 235 R Rice
51 Kyle Emanuel LB 27 6-3 250 4 North Dakota State
46 Chris Landrum LB 25 6-2 245 3 Jacksonville State
58 Uchenna Nwosu LB 21 6-2 251 R USC
52 Denzel Perryman LB 25 5-11 240 4 Miami
44 Kyzir White LB 22 6-2 218 R West Virginia
43 Michael Davis CB 23 6-2 195 2 BYU
36 Brandon Facyson CB 23 6-2 197 R Virginia Tech
26 Casey Hayward CB 28 5-11 192 7 Vanderbilt
20 Desmond King CB 23 5-10 200 2 Iowa
29 Craig Mager CB 26 5-11 200 3 Texas State
22 Jason Verrett CB 27 5-10 188 5 TCU
24 Trevor Williams CB 24 5-11 191 3 Penn State
37 Jahleel Addae S 28 5-10 195 6 Central Michigan
33 Derwin James S 22 6-2 215 R Florida State
25 Rayshawn Jenkins S 24 6-2 220 2 Miami
31 Adrian Phillips S 26 5-11 210 4 Texas
27 Jaylen Watkins S 26 5-11 194 4 Florida
SPECIAL TEAMS
NO NAME POS AGE HT WT EXP COLLEGE
6 Caleb Sturgis PK 29 5-9 192 6 Florida
8 Donnie Jones P 25 6-2 220 14 LSU
47 Mike Windt LS 32 6-1 237 9 Cincinnati