Los Angeles mercifully ends their season on Sunday afternoon, matching up with a Chiefs team locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs. Blaine Gabbert will start for Kansas City, his first start since 2018.
Here are a few storylines to track in the game.
Last first impression
Quentin Johnston got his first crack at the WR1 job last week against Denver, finishing with three catches for 29 yards on six targets. It was the latest inauspicious performance for the first rounder, but a matchup with Patrick Surtain II isn’t a fair test of Johnston’s current abilities.
With Kansas City likely to rest a number of their defensive starters and Keenan Allen (heel) and Josh Palmer (concussion) yet to record a full practice for the Chargers this week, it looks like Johnston could have another opportunity to show he can lead a WR corps. With a new head coach and general manager entering after the season, another lackluster performance could shift Johnston out of LA’s future plans at the position.
Rookie reps
The Chargers’ rookie class has yet to significantly impact outside special teams. The aforementioned Johnston has 414 yards on the season. Second-rounder Tuli Tuipulotu has been the primary exception, stepping into a starting role when Joey Bosa suffered a season-ending injury.
Daiyan Henley had four tackles in his lone drive of defensive action last week but exited the game with groin tightness. With Kenneth Murray (shoulder) yet to practice for LA this week while Henley has practiced in full, the third-rounder could overtake Nick Niemann for most defensive reps on Sunday.
Wide receiver Derius Davis has been the Chargers’ primary kick and punt returner while getting involved occasionally on offense. Even with the injuries at receiver in recent weeks, Davis has not seen an expanded role, with Alex Erickson and Keelan Doss garnering most of the snaps with Johnston. Fifth-rounder Jordan McFadden started at left guard for the first time last week instead of Zion Johnson, who missed the Denver game with a neck injury. Johnson has not practiced since Thursday, clearing the way for McFadden to build on a solid performance last week.
Scott Matlock, LA’s sixth-round pick, is also in line for more action on Sunday, with Nick Williams yet to practice with a shoulder injury. Matlock played in larger bursts against Denver but remains in a rotation with second-year player Otito Ogbonnia.
Who plays EDGE?
Joey Bosa has not progressed enough from his foot injury to suit up in Week 18. (Read: there is nothing to play for in Week 18.) Tuli Tuipulotu popped up on the injury report on Thursday with an ankle injury. LA’s fourth pass rusher, Justin Hollins, has not practiced with a shoulder issue all week.
That leaves a world where Tuipulotu can’t go, leaving the Chargers with Khalil Mack, undrafted rookie Andrew Farmer II, and likely at least one of Brevin Allen and Ty Shelby, both currently on the practice squad. Allen, an undrafted rookie, has played in two games this season. Shelby, an undrafted second-year player, has not seen regular season action.
That’s an inexperienced room, and even if Tuipulotu plays, it’s likely the Chargers elevate one of their two practice squad options to fill out the room on Sunday. But then again, this game is all about evaluating the roster for 2024. So maybe it’s not so bad to see what some players have in the tank.
Auditions
Both teams are playing for job security on Sunday: the Chargers because of an impending explosive rebuild caused by the firings of Tom Telesco and Brandon Staley and the Chiefs because Sunday’s game will primarily be manned by backups.
Mind you, that job security may not be in Los Angeles or Kansas City. But if the motley crews on either side put together a decent performance, it could be the difference between sticking around in the NFL next season or not. It’s particularly important for impending free agents like Easton Stick, Alex Erickson, Essang Bassey, Dean Marlowe, and Jaylinn Hawkins. All are players who entered the season as backups or practice squad players but will play a decent amount on Sunday. More high-profile free-agents-to-be like safety Alohi Gilman and running backs Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley will also be looking to prove their worth a final time before the offseason hits.
