Roster Depth Chart Evolution for the Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers’ roster depth chart has undergone significant shifts throughout the 2025 NFL season, shaped by injuries, rookie contributions, midseason trades, and the emergence of under-the-radar players. What began as a depth chart with clear starters and untested reserves in training camp has evolved into a more dynamic lineup—one that reflects the team’s ability to adapt to adversity and capitalize on unexpected talent. From the quarterback room to the defensive secondary, each position group has seen changes that have impacted the Chargers’ performance and playoff aspirations. Roster Depth Chart Evolution for the Los Angeles Chargers tracks these changes across key phases of the season, exploring how the depth chart has adjusted to challenges and how it now stands as the team enters the stretch run. For fans and analysts alike, this evolution offers insight into the Chargers’ roster construction strategy and their ability to compete in the tough AFC West.

Roster Depth Chart Evolution for the Los Angeles Chargers starts with the preseason depth chart, which set the initial framework for the 2025 season. At quarterback, Justin Herbert was firmly entrenched as the starter, with Easton Stick as the backup and undrafted rookie Max Duggan listed as the third-stringer—a hierarchy that stayed consistent through training camp. The running back room featured Austin Ekeler as the starter, with Isaiah Spiller (a second-year player) and Larry Rountree III as backups, though Spiller’s strong preseason performance hinted at a potential larger role. On defense, the edge-rush group was stacked with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa as starters, while rookie Tuli Tuipulotu (a second-round draft pick) and veteran Bud Dupree filled out the depth chart. The secondary, however, showed early vulnerability: Michael Davis and J.C. Jackson were listed as starting cornerbacks, but Jackson’s lingering knee issues from 2024 raised questions about his availability, leaving Tay Gowan and undrafted rookie Kemon Hall as unproven backups. “Our preseason depth chart was a starting point, but we knew injuries and performance would force changes,” general manager Tom Telesco said at the time. “We built in some flexibility, but we also knew we’d need to adjust as the season went on.”

By Week 6, the Chargers’ depth chart had already begun to shift, driven by early-season injuries and standout performances. The most notable change came in the running back room: Ekeler suffered a minor ankle sprain in Week 4, opening the door for Spiller to take on a larger role. Spiller responded with back-to-back 80-yard rushing games, solidifying his spot as the primary backup and even earning shared reps with Ekeler upon his return. On defense, Tuipulotu had emerged as a reliable rotational edge rusher, recording 2 sacks and 5 quarterback pressures in the first six weeks—enough to move him ahead of Dupree on the depth chart in passing situations. The secondary also saw adjustments: Jackson was placed on short-term injured reserve (IR) after reaggravating his knee, forcing Gowan into a starting role and prompting the Chargers to sign veteran cornerback Cameron Sutton to the practice squad as additional depth. “Week 6 is when you start to see the real depth chart take shape—when performance and necessity override preseason projections,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “Guys like Isaiah and Tuli have earned more reps, and we’ve had to fill gaps in the secondary. That’s the NFL—you have to be ready to adapt.” This early evolution laid the groundwork for the depth chart’s more significant changes later in the season.

Roster Depth Chart Evolution for the Los Angeles Chargers continued to shift at the midseason trade deadline (Week 8), when the Chargers made targeted moves to address depth gaps. The most impactful addition was the acquisition of cornerback Cameron Sutton from the Detroit Lions, a move that immediately elevated the secondary depth chart: Sutton was inserted as the starting cornerback opposite Davis, with Gowan moving to the nickel corner role and Hall remaining as the fourth cornerback. The Chargers also traded for defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton from the Jacksonville Jaguars, adding depth to the interior defensive line—where Sebastian Joseph-Day had been playing through a knee injury, and Austin Johnson was sidelined with an ankle sprain. Hamilton was listed as the backup to Joseph-Day, but he quickly earned rotational reps in run-defense situations. On the offensive side, the Chargers traded backup running back Larry Rountree III to the New York Giants, a move that reflected their confidence in Spiller and opened a roster spot for undrafted rookie running back Omarion Hampton (who was coming off the PUP list). For the Los Angeles Chargers, these trade-deadline moves were strategic adjustments to the depth chart—filling critical gaps while preserving future draft capital. “The trade deadline is about refining the depth chart, not overhauling it,” Telesco explained. “We targeted positions where we needed more reliability, and Cameron and DaVon have fit right in. That’s how you build a depth chart that can compete in the second half of the season.”

As the season entered Week 12, the Chargers’ depth chart saw another wave of changes, this time driven by a rash of injuries to key players. The quarterback room remained stable, but the running back group was hit hard: Ekeler suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in Week 11, sidelining him for two games, and Spiller tweaked his knee in practice, forcing Hampton (now activated from the PUP list) into a backup role alongside Joshua Kelley. On defense, Bosa missed Week 12 with a hamstring strain, moving Tuipulotu into the starting edge-rush spot opposite Mack and Dupree into the rotational role. The secondary also faced challenges: Sutton missed Week 12 with a concussion, pushing Gowan back into the starting lineup and Hall into the nickel role—with the Chargers elevating practice squad cornerback Kemon Hall to the active roster for additional depth. For the Los Angeles Chargers, these injury-driven changes tested the depth chart’s resilience, but they also revealed the team’s ability to develop young players. “Injuries are never ideal, but they give us a chance to see what our depth can do,” Staley said. “Guys like Omarion and Kemon have stepped up when we needed them, which makes our depth chart stronger in the long run.” By Week 14, Ekeler and Bosa had returned, but the depth chart retained some of these changes—with Hampton remaining as the third running back and Hall staying on the active roster as a fourth cornerback.

Another key phase in the depth chart’s evolution came in Weeks 14–16, as the Chargers focused on solidifying roles for the playoff push. The edge-rush group saw the most notable shift: Tuipulotu’s consistent performance (he recorded 3 sacks in Weeks 12–14) earned him a permanent spot in the starting rotation, with Bosa and Mack now splitting reps at the other edge spot and Dupree serving as the primary backup. This “three-headed monster” approach reflected the Chargers’ desire to keep their top pass-rushers fresh and exploit matchup advantages. The defensive tackle group also adjusted: Hamilton’s strong play in run defense (he recorded 8 tackles and 1 sack in Weeks 14–15) moved him into a rotational role with Joseph-Day and Jones, creating a more balanced interior line. On offense, the wide receiver depth chart saw a subtle change: rookie Quentin Johnston (a first-round draft pick) had struggled early in the season, but his improved performance in Weeks 14–16 (150 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns) moved him ahead of Josh Palmer as the third wide receiver, behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. For the Los Angeles Chargers, these late-season adjustments were about optimizing the depth chart for success in high-stakes games. “As we head into the stretch run, we’re leaning into what works,” offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said. “Quentin has earned more reps, and the edge-rush rotation is keeping everyone fresh. That’s how you build a depth chart that can win in December and January.”

Roster Depth Chart Evolution for the Los Angeles Chargers concludes with the current depth chart (as of Week 17), a reflection of the team’s adaptability and growth throughout the season. At quarterback, Herbert remains the starter, with Stick as the backup (Duggan was waived in Week 15 to make room for Hampton). The running back room features Ekeler as the starter, Spiller as the primary backup, and Hampton as the third option—with Kelley moved to the practice squad. The edge-rush group is now a three-man rotation of Mack, Bosa, and Tuipulotu, with Dupree as the fourth option. The secondary has stabilized: Sutton and Davis are the starting cornerbacks, Gowan is the nickel corner, and Hall and newly signed veteran Patrick Peterson (added in Week 16) fill out the depth. The defensive tackle group remains a rotation of Joseph-Day, Jones, and Hamilton. “Our current depth chart is a product of the season’s challenges and opportunities,” Telesco said. “We’ve had to adjust to injuries, but we’ve also seen rookies and role players step up. That’s the mark of a good roster—one that can evolve and compete, no matter what the season throws at it.” As the Chargers push for a wild-card spot, this evolved depth chart will be critical—providing the team with the flexibility and talent needed to win tough games against playoff-caliber opponents. In the end, Roster Depth Chart Evolution for the Los Angeles Chargers isn’t just about tracking changes to a lineup—it’s about telling the story of a team that has grown stronger through adversity, one depth chart adjustment at a time.