Denzel Perryman suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 against Kansas City and was ruled questionable to return, thinning the Chargers middle as the defense tried to hold an early lead. Troy Dye stepped in and earned valuable reps with Perryman out, testing the depth behind the linebacker group.

Del Shawan Phillips and Marlowe Wax sit ready as depth options if Perryman misses time, with Dye continuing to push for more snaps. The matchup versus Kansas City in Brazil underscored the need for frontline depth and smart rotation in run and pass coverage.

Fantasy players should monitor Perryman status and the ensuing depth chart moves. If Perryman sits, Dye and Phillips could present late round or DFS streaming value, while Wax and other depth pieces become speculative adds in deeper leagues.

Three undrafted rookies cracked the Chargers 53-man roster: Nikko Reed, Eric Rogers, and Marlowe Wax. Reed flashed lockdown coverage and delivered an early Hall of Fame Game interception; his preseason line was six tackles, four passes defended and an interception. Rogers added a pick-six and finished with three tackles, four passes defended and two interceptions. Wax stood out with 18 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble, earning depth and special-teams consideration.

With waivers looming, the roster remains fluid. The trio’s emergence underscores strong scouting and signals potential quick snaps on Sundays should injuries or moves shuffle the depth chart. Fantasy managers will want to monitor how the Chargers deploy these rookies as the season nears.

The Chargers faced a rocky Saturday night, with the backups flashing both flashes of potential and flashes of error as roster decisions loom. Marlowe Wax anchored a standout night, showing timely playmaking and consistency that earns him continued roster buzz. Luke Grimm struggled on returns but flashed a touchdown moment late, keeping him on the radar. DJ Uiagalelei delivered big highs and rough lows, painting a compelling but unsettled picture behind Justin Herbert. A realistic Week 1 view emerges: depth battles, special-teams stakes, and a few players who could surprise once rosters tighten.

With the deadline near, the Chargers must sift through missteps and bright spots alike, balancing tape against potential. Nyheim Miller-Hines flashed burst after a long layoff, while veteran David Sharpe’s uneven performance underscores the importance of depth on the line. The night’s mix of penalties and improvisation underscores why these final cuts matter for fantasy value, depth charts, and Week 1 readiness.

With the 53-man roster deadline looming, the Chargers’ final preseason test against the 49ers spotlights a high-stakes bubble battle. Expect a sprint to impress from rookies, backups and long shots as the coaching staff emphasizes the 53-man limit and 17 practice squad spots. The evening features a quarterback duel that could influence premium fantasy rosters, plus a running back trio jockeying for reps, a cornerback position battle and a linebacking push that could alter depth charts heading into Week 1.

Trey Lance and Taylor Heinicke headline the quarterback intrigue, with Lance carrying a slight edge in efficiency and mobility through three games. A potential trio-QB arrangement remains on the table, depending on Herbert’s health and how the Chargers value future upside. In the backfield, Raheim Sanders has flashed playmaking ability, but Hasan Haskins and Kimani Vidal bring familiarity and special-teams value that could decide the final two spots. Nikko Reed has made plays all camp, and Marlowe Wax has drawn locker-room praise for his energy and versatility, both offering late-round darts for fantasy rosters. The Harbaugh-Santa Clara subplot adds a veteran rivalry flavor to the night, underscoring the stakes of a preseason finale that could sharpen decisions for many fantasy rosters.