Bolts From The Blue
We have finally arrived at the 2025 preseason finale for the Chargers. They are in Santa Clara this weekend to face the 49ers on Saturday night in the second to last preseason contest of the year.
Like all preseason finales, it’s the final impression for players looking and hoping to make one last push for a job, whether that’s on the active roster or practice squad.
Below are three players I’ll be watching closely when the Chargers take the field against the Niners this weekend.
CB Nikko Reed
Reed showed out in the Chargers’ first preseason game with an interception and overall solid performance. He has since not made a whole lot of noise thanks to a minor injury that’s slowed his roll over the past two weeks in camp. Overall Reed has six total tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception this preseason and has the best inside track of all the UDFA cornerbacks to make the final roster.
Regardless of that fact, Reed could really solidify things with another strong day against the 49ers.
EDGE Kyle Kennard
Kennard has missed the last two preseason games for the Chargers and has just one tackle to his name from the Hall of Fame Game against the Lions. After being selected by the Bolts in the fourth round of this year’s draft, the expectation was for Kennard to settle in as the team’s fourth edge rusher behind Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Bud Dupree. However, former UDFA Caleb Murphy has been balling in his snaps this preseason as he’s racked up multiple sacks on defense and splash plays on special teams.
As of this moment, Kennard will end up making the team due to the draft capital spent on him, but he’s most certainly the last edge rusher on the depth chart barring a massive performance against the 49ers (if he plays at all).
OL Branson Taylor
Following injuries up front on the offensive line, Taylor has been getting reps in practice at his college position (offensive tackle) despite having been working at guard all of camp thus far in hopes of making that transition. Per The Atheltic’s Daniel Popper, the transition has not been going well.
It remains to be seen just how Taylor will be used in the preseason finale, but my expectation is that we will see him at tackle so he can get his feet wet there in the NFL before the regular season begins.
