Predicting Chargers Practice Squad: Can Preseason Stars Clear Waivers?

Unfortunately, he will miss this Chargers final 53-man roster due to a lack of spots available, even with the Chargers fifth LB in danger of being cut due to injury. That LB, Del’Shawn Phillips, has been reassured a spot by the coaching staff, effectively disallowing Wax to truly reap the benefits of his preseason performances.

2. RB, Nyheim Miller-Hines – Did He Earn A Chargers Practice Squad Spot?

Nyheim Miller-Hines, at one point in the NFL was a top-notch pass-catching/third-down running back in the sport. He was able to have juice on every carry, then make something out of nothing on the next. This unfortunately came to a rapid end due to a torn ACL from a jet ski accident.

His offseason/preseason with the Chargers was extremely up and down, which is to be expected for someone coming off two years full of injuries with no football in between. Miller-Hines had muffed punts and a fumble on his carries. So, with these major negatives, how does he end up on the practice squad?

Simply put, Miller-Hines has a skillset that is extremely valuable to the team, especially considering Najee Harris is likely out for the first four games of the season. Miller-Hines can catch, can return (hopefully no more muffs) and can pass protect extremely well. All of which are difficult skills to find in the NFL from RBs.

3. WR, Dalevon Campbell – An Incredibly Underrated Story

Dalevon Campbell’s path to the NFL since college is extremely underrated and near improbable. Campbell was a rookie mini-camp tryout player who was able to earn a spot on the 90-man roster, impressing the coaching staff. In my time covering the Chargers, this is the first time I can remember this happening.

So with a spot on the 90-man, Campbell did not stop there. He was able to create splash plays throughout training camp and the preseason. His connection with DJ Uiagalelei was also something to behold during the offseason. Campbell’s athletic ability at 6’4 with a reported 4.3 in the 40-yard dash gives the Chargers an extremely intriguing wide receiver to stash on their practice squad for the future.

4. WR, Jalen Reagor – First Off The Bench

Jalen Reagor, the infamous former first-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles. While his time in green was not spectacular, he was still able to carve out a career elsewhere. This is continuing in Los Angeles following an extremely impressive early segment of training camp.

Expect Reagor to be the first receiver to be elevated if someone were to go down in the regular season. Before his injury and the signing of Keenan Allen, Reagor was a veteran mentor for this young receiver room and was also expected to play a respectable amount of snaps.

5. TE/LS, Tucker Fisk – Toughest Cut of the Entire Process

Tucker Fisk was the toughest cut of the entire Chargers final 53-man roster prediction process. He has embodied the team’s identity throughout his short tenure with the Chargers, as he was an imposing blocker who delivered through the air when called upon.

Even during this off-season/preseason, he was asked to play Long Snapper in an emergency and delivered then, too. Fisk has given this team everything he could, and still was unable to find a roster spot. He will likely be elevated to the 53-man roster quite often, finding himself fully on it if an injury happens.

6. IOL, Nash Jones – Only Offensive Linemen Who Earned It

Nash Jones was a smaller-school prospect out of Texas State-San Marcos. He was able to play at a respectable enough level throughout his time in the NFL preseason, likely earning a spot on the Chargers’ practice squad. A guy with intriguing tools who knows the system could very well lead toward a future elevation.

7. QB, DJ Uiagalelei – Surprisingly Good

DJ Uiagalelei came to the Chargers as an infamous UDFA signee, with plenty laughing that he even made it to the NFL. Well, in his limited opportunities, the former 5-star QB showed why college scouts were all over him. Uiagalelei showed arm talent and good-enough decision-making throughout the preseason to earn him a spot on the Chargers practice squad.

If Chargers backup QB, Trey Lance, continues his trajectory, he could very well find himself a new home as a spot-starter elsewhere, leading the Chargers in need of another backup QB. Insert Uiagalelei: A cheap, talented and quality backup.

8. IDL, Christopher Hinton – Chargers Practice Squad Mainstay

Christopher Hinton at one point was on the Chargers 53-man roster in 2022, providing some flashes as a run defender. He has since been a practice squad mainstay, once again finding himself on the squad in 2025.

Hinton could very well make another team’s IDL rotation as a fifth or sixth guy, but, unluckily for him, the Chargers are extremely deep in the room. He could hear his name called upon if injuries were to occur.

9. IDL, Nesta Jade Silvera – Late Signee Proved Enough In A Little Amount Of Time

When the Chargers signed Nesta Jade Silvera, the offseason was nearing its end. A late signee usually is stacked against the odds, but Jade Silvera was able to still flash during his short time in powder blue. With run stops and pass deflections, he earned himself a spot on the final 53-man roster.

10. EDGE, Tre’Mon Morris-Brash – Could Hear His Name Elevated On The Chargers 53 Man Roster

Tre’Mon Morris-Brash was an outstanding preseason star last year with the Chargers due to his flashy pass-rush wins. Now in 2025, he was battling with Caleb Murphy for EDGE5, a battle where he lost. Morris-Brash fought extremely well, having more special teams snaps than Murphy and a more consistent pass-rush win-rate than Murphy.

However, Murphy was able to make a bit more out of the opportunities given to him, having more “splash plays” like forced fumbles, sacks, and tackles on special teams. Expect Morris-Brash to continue his development as an EDGE rusher and really make a push for the roster in 2026.

11. CB, Nikko Reed – Should Be On The Final 53 Man Roster

Nikko Reed is up there with Marlowe Wax as the best Chargers UDFA of the entire process. Reed was once thought of as strictly a Nickel/Slot defender from Oregon, but after play after play, Reed earned himself reps on the outside with the first team defense in training camp.

Couple this with his outstanding preseason performances both on defense and special teams, he earned his right on the final Chargers 53-man roster. Unfortunately, the Chargers are likely to opt to go with Ja’Sir Taylor due to his gunner abilities, even if his defensive abilities are miles behind the rookie UDFA.

12. CB, Trikweze Bridges – Toolsy Seventh Round Selection Needs Development

The Chargers drafted Trikweze Bridges in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was taken right before Mr. Irrelevant, making him a pseudo-UDFA for the Bolts. However, this spent capital is carrying Bridges case for the practice squad.

Bridges had reportedly had one great day of practice early in the process. Outside of that, he has been pretty unimpressive off-season, being burned on multiple touchdowns in the preseason. His size and speed combination of 6’2 4.38 40-yard dash is the reasoning for his draft and the reasoning for his spot on the Chargers practice squad.

13. S, Kendall Williamson – Special Teams Ace

Chargers signed former Bears seventh-round selection, Kendall Williamson, last season after a nightmare-ish amount of injuries occurred to their secondary. While Williamson left some to be desired as a defensive back, he showed out on special teams.

Going into year two with the team, he proved to be a valuable special-teams guy throughout the entirety of the preseason. If it weren’t for an extremely deep Safety room, Williamson would have given himself a chance to make the roster. He could very well make the roster in 2026, or find himself playing in a reserve role in 2025.

14. C, Josh Kaltenberger – Intriguing Size, Forgettable Play

Center Josh Kaltenberger struggled mightily in the preseason after some initial hype when he was signed as a UDFA. His size, 6’6, gave some general athletic traits to give excitement towards, but his play in the preseason practically nullified all of said excitement.

This exercise is trying to account for each spot on the roster having a practice squad depth option, and for the Center position, Kaltenberger makes the most sense as he already knows the playbook and can develop his intriguing tools in the meantime.

15. EDGE, Garmon Randolph – Flashes + Insane Size

Speaking of size, Garmon Randolph is listed at 6’8, making him possibly the tallest EDGE rusher in the entire league. This size allowed him to have some flashes in the preseason, having a sack against the 49ers in his final contest.

Beyond his sack, not much else has happened for Randolph, but the 24-year-old’s size is enough to at least give the Chargers a reason to give him time to develop a more refined skillset.

16. OT, Branson Taylor – Simply Has Not Earned To Be The Chargers’ 53 Man Roster

Hopefully, before getting here, you read my Chargers final 53-man roster predictions. If it is not obvious enough, I predicted sixth-round rookie Branson Taylor to be cut. The Chargers failed his development during his first offseason by placing him at guard when he proved to be a true tackle.

After finding this out, he played most of his snaps at tackle in the latter portion of the preseason. He was extremely unrefined. Also, his battle with injuries he suffered in college and during the offseason has raised the question of availability for Taylor. He will now develop on the Chargers’ practice squad, hopefully continuing to refine his strengths as a run blocker and work on his weaknesses as a pass protector.

17. TE, Thomas Yassmin – Intriguing International Prospect

Ending with where we started, Thomas Yassmin, the Chargers International Pathways Prospect. He allows the Chargers to keep him on the roster without taking one of the 16 normal practice squad spots. He was signed to the Chargers late into camp after the injury to another IPP Tight End, Jordan Petaia.

Expect Yassmin to refine his athletic tools in 2025 and try to earn a spot in 2026.

Last Word on Chargers Practice Squad & Injury Designation: Eric Rogers

A side note for the practice squad is Eric Rogers and his injury. The NFL practice squad rules are quite convoluted, with injuries adding another layer of such. From my understanding, Rogers can be placed on IR for the entirety of the 2025 season and revert to the team as part of their 90-man roster in 2026.

I do not believe Rogers’ injury is extremely serious, but this is the smartest route to keep him around. He is rumored to have a high-ankle sprain.

All in all, this Chargers practice squad has plenty of talent to call upon when needed. Whether it’s a guy like Tucker Fisk or Marlowe Wax, this team has some interesting reserves to be excited about in 2025 and beyond.