Chargers player on roster bubble with most at stake in 2026 preseason finale

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Chargers player on roster bubble with most at stake in 2026 preseason finale

Chris Spiering, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Wed, Aug 26, 2026 ·

4 min read

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The Los Angeles Chargers will finalize their initial 53-man roster next week, and Thursday night's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams represents one final opportunity for players on the bubble to save their jobs.

Nobody may have more at stake than Trevor Penning . The Chargers acquired the former New Orleans Saints first-round pick last season, hoping a change of scenery would help him revive his career. Instead, Penning has done little to prove he deserves a place on Los Angeles' offensive line.

He entered training camp with a chance to compete for the starting left guard position. That opportunity appears to have slipped away. Even after center Tyler Biadasz suffered a season-ending injury , Penning has not emerged as a serious option at left guard. His absence from the competition is particularly concerning because Los Angeles now needs to devote another roster spot to a backup center.

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Every offensive-line spot matters, and Penning does not offer the positional value the Chargers suddenly need.

Chargers' need for two centers could cost Trevor Penning his roster spot

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jake Slaughter is expected to take over as the starting center following Biadasz's injury. Preseason star Jacob Spomer could claim the final offensive-line position as Slaughter's backup, giving the Chargers necessary insurance at one of the offense's most important positions.

That leaves Penning competing for a spot without a clear role.

My projected nine offensive linemen for Los Angeles' initial roster are Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins III, Rashawn Slater, Cole Strange, Jacob Spomer, Kayode Awosika, Jake Slaughter, Travis Burke, and Branson Taylor.

Alt and Slater are locked in as the franchise's starting tackles, while Strange also offers the group valuable experience at right guard, though not long-term. Slaughter's expected promotion and Spomer's value as another center make both difficult to leave off the roster.

Meanwhile, Pipkins III, Awosika, and Taylor remain involved in the left guard competition. Chargers coaches have indicated that Awosika currently has the advantage , although the job does not appear to be settled entering the preseason finale. Penning's name is noticeably absent from that battle. For a former first-round pick who was brought in to compete for an interior job, that is a major problem. Draft status can create extra opportunities, but it cannot secure a roster spot forever.

Trevor Penning needs a DOMINANT preseason finale against Rams

Penning's path to the roster is narrow, but it has not disappeared completely. Thursday's game will give him one final chance to remind the Chargers why they traded for him. He must display the power that once made him a first-round prospect while avoiding the penalties and inconsistent technique that have followed him throughout his career.

The Rams game will also help determine the winner of the left guard competition and which reserve linemen survive roster cuts. If the starters participate, they will likely play no more than a couple of series or one quarter. That would leave plenty of snaps for Los Angeles to evaluate its depth.

Penning needs to make every one of those snaps count. He must be perfect. His versatility at tackle and guard could still appeal to the Chargers, especially given how quickly injuries can damage an offensive line. But versatility means little if the coaching staff does not trust him at either position.

If Penning fails to impress Thursday, Los Angeles should prioritize Spomer's ability to play center and the linemen who have performed better at guard. A release would not necessarily end Penning's NFL career. His age, size, and status as a former first-round pick would almost certainly generate interest from another team searching for offensive-line depth. The question is whether he has done enough to remain with this one.

Penning arrived in Los Angeles with an opportunity to repair his career. Entering the final preseason game, he may be one disappointing performance away from needing another fresh start.

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