nfl

Chargers stock up or down following victory over 49ers in preseason finale

Ric Tapia - The Sporting Tribune
The Chargers have some questions to answer before Tuesday's cut down day.

The Los Angeles Chargers finished their preseason with a 23-12 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

From now until Tuesday at 1 p.m., the coaching staff has to cut the roster from 90 to 53 players.

There are limited roster spots left, so a lot of these players will be vying for one to three spots. 

Here is the stock of players who are either fighting for a spot or need a strong performance:

RB Joshua Kelley: UP

Since Austin Ekeler took over as the featured back, there hasn’t been much depth behind him. Kelley had a 75-yard touchdown run against the 49ers, which should give the staff hope that he could be the backup premier to Ekeler. 

RB Elijah Dotson: Even

Will the Chargers carry four backs? That is the big question, but Dotson had an okay night with six carries for 33 yards. He hasn’t matched the performance against the Rams. He will be a toss-up going into Tuesday.

S J.T. Woods: UP

If someone needed a strong camp, it was the former third-round pick out of Baylor. Woods took advantage of a sidelined Alohi Gilman and shined during the joint practices. He has shown good tackling and awareness. Woods should be called upon to play next to Gilman when Derwin James moves around the field.

WR Keelan Doss: Even

He is a solid contributor who has made plays during training camp and even during preseason games. Doss could be the sixth receiver if the Chargers choose that route.

WR John Hightower: Down

He hasn’t been the same since the injury that sidelined him the week leading up to the Rams preseason game. Hightower has been making plays since the injury. It feels like Doss has overtaken him on the depth chart.

TE Stone Smartt: UP

Smartt was a high school quarterback that turned receiver in college to a tight end in the NFL. He has grown in the last two seasons and is having a good camp. Smartt is hot on Tre’ McKitty’s tail for playing time on offense. The former Old Dominion player keeps improving, so if he can have an impact on offense it could help the Chargers gain another weapon.