The Chargers are just days away from opening the Jim Harbaugh era against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. After churning the bottom of the roster with an urgency rarely seen from the franchise, Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz have set the roster for Week 1.
A depth chart has yet to be released, however. Here’s a look at what it might look like on offense when it comes out, from starters to backups.
Quarterback
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
| QB | Justin Herbert | Easton Stick | Taylor Heinicke |
Herbert will start after returning from an injury to his plantar fascia earlier in training camp. While Stick struggled mightily this preseason, he’ll likely open the season as the primary backup while the newly acquire Heinicke gets up to speed with Greg Roman’s offensive scheme.
Running back
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | Reserve | |
| RB | JK Dobbins | Gus Edwards | Kimani Vidal | Hassan Haskins |
It wouldn’t be surprising if Dobbins and Edwards are listed as co-starters here, as both will get plenty of run with the starting offense. Dobbins will likely lead the team in rushing, with Edwards inserted in goal-line situations. Vidal, a sixth-round rookie, may see some situational work as well as the only back who played for the Chargers this preseason. Haskins is in a similar boat to Heinicke after arriving on waivers from Tennessee and will also be the backup returner.
Wide receiver
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
| WR1 | Josh Palmer | Brenden Rice | Simi Fehoko |
| WR2 | Ladd McConkey | Quentin Johnston | |
| WR3 | DJ Chark Jr. | Derius Davis |
It’ll be interesting to see who fills in for Chark if he can’t go on Sunday, as the veteran was not at practice on Monday. Rice has worked with the first team more often throughout training camp, but he was on the roster bubble along with Fehoko only a week ago. Johnston has made some strides in camp and may be given those opportunities earlier on. Palmer should be the primary option to start the season and McConkey will start in the slot. Davis will be the returner again this season and will get some work on gadget plays. Fehoko will primarily play special teams but had a strong preseason and may get some work on offense as a result.
Tight end
| Starter | Backup | Reserve | |
| TE | Will Dissly | Hayden Hurst | Stone Smartt |
Dissly and Hurst will both see ample time in Roman’s offense, which utilizes 12 personnel at a high rate. Both have the ability to serve as receiving and blocking options on any given play. Smartt took a big step forward as a blocker to win the TE3 job from Donald Parham Jr., who signed with the Broncos practice squad following cuts.
Offensive line
| Starter | Backup | |
| LT | Rashawn Slater | Foster Sarell |
| LG | Zion Johnson | Jordan McFadden |
| C | Bradley Bozeman | Brenden Jaimes |
| RG | Trey Pipkins III | Jamaree Salyer |
| RT | Joe Alt |
No surprises here, as the starting five has been set since the Chargers took Alt fifth overall in April. Pipkins will slide inside and start at right guard, pushing 2023 starter Salyer to the bench. Slater and Johnson will reprise their roles on the left side. Bozeman has experience in the Roman offense at center. Jaimes can play center or either guard spot. McFadden will see some run at fullback in jumbo packages while providing depth at guard. Sarell won the swing tackle job but also looked good at guard in the preseason – if a tackle goes down, we may see some shifting around rather than a direct Sarell substitution.
