Notable Chargers 2024 draft pick may not play a single regular season game with the team

The Los Angeles Chargers have a plethora of new faces at running back. Austin Ekeler is out. Multiple veterans and young options are in for Jim Harbaugh's new team. Los Angeles may make a surprising decision regarding a rookie, too.

Chargers rookie RB Kimani Vidal not projected to make the roster

Vidal did not play in the team's first preseason game. Jaret Patterson took the reps first during Saturday's game. That could mean very little or plenty.

Regardless, a complete shutout of snaps for Vidal is a red flag, in comparison to the others who got an opportunity to showcase their skills.

Vidal was a sixth-round selection for the Chargers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Usually, those players stick on the roster as depth. That seems like a bit of an uphill climb for the young RB as of now, due to a multitude of factors.

Daniel Popper of The Athletic projected the roster for LA after their first exhibition game. Vidal was not one of the four running backs listed for the team's projected depth chart.

• Gus Edwards
• J.K. Dobbins
• Jaret Patterson
• Isaiah Spiller

Of course, it is a bit jarring to see a sixth-round pick left off the roster. But, as always, I am just basing this projection on what I am seeing. Spiller is on the first-team punt unit. He has familiarity with special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken. That flexibility ends up being hugely important for these bottom-of-the-roster decisions. Vidal has also been dealing with an injury and missed four full days of practice earlier this month, including the joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams . That injury likely influenced Vidal sitting out the preseason game.

This competition is still wide open. Right now, I think Patterson and Spiller have the edge over Vidal. That could change through the final two weeks of camp and, most importantly, the last two preseason games. -- Popper

Neither Dobbins or Edwards played in the preseason game, either. That was probably a precautionary choice from Jim Harbaugh's staff.

As for Spiller and Patterson, they seem to be ahead of Vidal on the depth chart at running back. The situation remains fluid , though. Keep an eye on Vidal if he can suit up for Los Angeles this weekend.

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