The Chargers dropped a 20-18 contest to the Rams in their preseason finale.
Here are five takeaways from Thursday night:
1. All eyes on 53-man roster deadline
The countdown is on to 3 p.m. (PT) on Sunday.
That's when all NFL teams must reduce their roster to an initial 53 players after the preseason.
And while the Bolts didn't come away victorious Thursday night, Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said "some things come to mind" that may alter his thinking over the next few days.
Overall, Harbaugh liked what he saw in the preseason finale, especially given it was a much better effort than last week's preseason loss to the 49ers.
"I was pleased with many things about it," Harbaugh said. "It was important to everybody that played, everybody that wasn't playing.
"Many good things, a lot of good," Harbaugh added.
Some positions groups on the Chargers roster feel set, but plenty of others will be ironed out in the coming days.
"I'm sure there will be a lot of discussion tomorrow, Saturday, even into Sunday," Harbaugh said.
2. Herbert, Johnston team up for TD
Justin Herbert and Quentin Johnston provided the unquestionable highlight of the entire preseason Thursday night.
There was Herbert, dropping back to pass with clean protection around him.
Johnston, meanwhile, exploded off the line of scrimmage and beat two defenders deep as Herbert launched a 50-plus yard through right into his hands.
The end result? A 65-yard touchdown that will leave a lasting impression heading into the regular season.
"Wow. Double wow," Harbaugh said. "The throw, the catch, the protection."
Johnston noted that the play was executed to perfection.
"It felt good. On that drive, [we] were looking for an explosive play and it happened," Johnston said. "I'm glad I got a quarterback that can get the ball out there like that.
"I always still go back at film and get amazed at some of the passes and how far he throws the ball. Fun to be a part of," Johnston added.
The hope is that singular play is a precursor for what's to come in Mike McDaniel's scheme in 2026.
"We got a supreme quarterback, supreme offensive coordinator and we got all the pieces that fit in and mesh well. I'm excited for us," Johnston said.
3. Defense does the job
Harbaugh said earlier in the week that he wanted to see the starters play "six to nine snaps" against the Rams.
The Bolts first-team defense were right in that sweet spot with eight.
"I like it because you simulate a real game. There's less at stake, but my process is the same," safety Elijah Molden said about playing in the preseason. "That's what it's about, your game day process and treating that seriously, feeling those game day nerves and adjusting to them. I think it's good to feel them going into Week 1."
The Chargers starters played five snaps on their opening drive, giving up and early first down before forcing a punt behind key run stops from Akheem Mesidor and Dalvin Tomlinson.
The unit then held strong when they were backed up after a Herbert fumble gave the Rams the ball at the Chargers 14-yard line.
The Bolts limited the damage to a field goal to get a clear win in that situation.
"Just talking with other players, probably felt more comfortable this week than last," Molden said.
All in all, the defense gave up 21 yards on eight plays Thursday night.
Browse through live action photos of the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium!
TE Oronde Gadsden (86)
LB Emany Johnson (50) and OLB Andre Carter (51)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50) and LB Lander Barton (57)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Daiyan Henley (0)
OLB Bud Dupree (48)
OLB Tuli Tuipulotu (45)
DL Dalvin Tomlinson (94)
DL Dalvin Tomlinson (94)
DL Dalvin Tomlinson (94)
DL Dalvin Tomlinson (94), LB Del'Shawn Phillips (53) and OLB Tuli Tuipulotu (45)
DL Teair Tart (93) and LB Daiyan Henley (0)
OLB Akheem Mesidor (90)
RB Omarion Hampton (8) and QB Justin Herbert (10)
QB Justin Herbert (10)
QB Justin Herbert (10)
TE Charlie Kolar (88)
OLB Akheem Mesidor (90)
OLB Bud Dupree (48)
OLB Akheem Mesidor (90)
CB Tarheeb Still (4)
DL Justin Eboigbe (92)
LB Daiyan Henley (0)
LB Daiyan Henley (0)
LB Daiyan Henley (0)
DB Elijah Molden (2) and LB Daiyan Henley (0)
LB Daiyan Henley (0)
LB Daiyan Henley (0)
CB Tarheeb Still (4) and LB Daiyan Henley (0)
CB Tarheeb Still (4) and LB Daiyan Henley (0)
DB Elijah Molden (2) and DL Justin Eboigbe (92)
QB Justin Herbert (10)
QB Justin Herbert (10)
QB Justin Herbert (10)
QB Justin Herbert (10)
QB Justin Herbert (10)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
RB Omarion Hampton (8) and WR Quentin Johnston (1)
RB Omarion Hampton (8) and WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1) and RB Omarion Hampton (8)
WR Quentin Johnston (1) and RB Omarion Hampton (8)
WR Quentin Johnston (1) and RB Omarion Hampton (8)
WR Quentin Johnston (1), RB Omarion Hampton (8) and WR Ladd McConkey (15)
RB Omarion Hampton (8), WR Quentin Johnston (1), WR Ladd McConkey (15) and QB Justin Herbert (10)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
WR Quentin Johnston (1) and G Logan Taylor (65)
WR Quentin Johnston (1)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
LB Del'Shawn Phillips (53)
LB Del'Shawn Phillips (53)
LB Del'Shawn Phillips (53)
OLB Andre Carter (51) and CB Isas Waxter (37)
OLB Andre Carter (51) and CB Isas Waxter (37)
OLB Andre Carter (51)
DL Jacobian Guillory (95), DL Nick Barrett (91) and LB Marlowe Wax (58)
DL Nick Barrett (91)
DL Jacobian Guillory (95) and DL Nick Barrett (91)
DL Jacobian Guillory (95) and DL Nick Barrett (91)
DL TeRah Edwards (96) and S Tony Jefferson (23)
DL TeRah Edwards (96), S Tony Jefferson (23) and LB Junior Colson (25)
DL TeRah Edwards (96), LB Junior Colson (25) and S Tony Jefferson (23)
LB Marlowe Wax (58), S Tony Jefferson (23) and DL TeRah Edwards (96)
S Tony Jefferson (23)
S Tony Jefferson (23)
S Tony Jefferson (23)
S Tony Jefferson (23)
S Tony Jefferson (23)
LB Junior Colson (25)
DL Nick Barrett (91), DL TeRah Edwards (96) and S Tony Jefferson (23)
S RJ Mickens (27)
Defensive Coordinator Chris O'Leary and S Tony Jefferson (23)
DL Teair Tart (93), DL Justin Eboigbe (92) and DL Jacobian Guillory (95)
RB Kimani Vidal (28), WRLiam Clifford (39), WR Derius Davis (12), WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (84) and TE Oronde Gadsden (86)
QB Trey Lance (5) and RB Kimani Vidal (28)
T Travis Burke (77), RB Kimani Vidal (28), WR Devonte Ross (24), WR Derius Davis (12) and TE Oronde Gadsden (86)
QB Trey Lance (5)
LB Marlowe Wax (58)
OLB Nadame Tucker (56)
QB Trey Lance (5)
WR Derius Davis (12)
OLB Khalil Mack (52) and Shannon Farren
OL Trevor Penning (75)
QB Trey Lance (5)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
T Travis Burke (77)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
OLB Khalil Mack (52)
OLB Khalil Mack (52) and Jaime Maggio
OLB Khalil Mack (52) and Jaime Maggio
OLB Khalil Mack (52) and Jaime Maggio
DL Jahmeer Carter (61)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
CB Rodney Shelley (24)
OLB Nadame Tucker (56)
S Genesis Smith (22), LB Marlowe Wax (58) and LB Junior Colson (25)
LB Junior Colson (25)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (84)
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (84)
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (84)
WR Derius Davis (12)
QB DJ Uiagalelei (7)
QB DJ Uiagalelei (7)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
WR Devonte Ross (24), WR Dalevon Campbell (81), TE Jerand Bradley (36), G Logan Taylor (65) and WR JaQuae Jackson (82)
QB DJ Uiagalelei (7)
WR Devonte Ross (24)
WR Devonte Ross (24)
WR Devonte Ross (24)
WR Devonte Ross (24)
WR Devonte Ross (24)
Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel, OLB Khalil Mack (52) and RB Jaret Patterson (32)
Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel
RB Amar Johnson (35)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
QB DJ Uiagalelei (7)
Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel
LB Lander Barton (57)
DL Jacobian Guillory (95)
S Kendall Williamson (40) and OLB Nadame Tucker (56)
LB Lander Barton (57)
LB Lander Barton (57)
OLB Andre Carter (51)
LB Marlowe Wax (58)
LB Lander Barton (57)
DL TeRah Edwards (96) and CB Rodney Shelley (24)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97) and S Kendall Williamson (40)
S Myles Purchase (41)
RB Amar Johnson (35)
T Laekin Vakalahi (78)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and Wide Receivers Coach Sanjay Lal
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel
K Cameron Dicker (11)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
CB Avery Smith (36)
Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Mike Elston
S Tony Jefferson (23)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
CB Isas Waxter (37)
DL TeRah Edwards (96)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31) and T Laekin Vakalahi (78)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31) and T Laekin Vakalahi (78)
T Laekin Vakalahi (78) and RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
T Laekin Vakalahi (78), RB Greg Desrosiers (31) and TE Evan Svoboda (49)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49) and G Alex Harkey (73)
QB DJ Uiagalelei (7) and TE Evan Svoboda (49)
TE Evan Svoboda (49) and QB DJ Uiagalelei (7)
LB Daiyan Henley (0) and RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
LB Daiyan Henley (0) and RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31) and RB Keaton Michell (34)
OLB Nadame Tucker (56)
DL TeRah Edwards (96)
LB Lander Barton (57)
C/G Jake Slaughter (66)
S Noah Avinger (31)
CB Avery Smith (36)
CB Avery Smith (36)
OLB Nadame Tucker (56)
S Noah Avinger (31) and S Myles Purchase (41)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
LB Marlowe Wax (58), RB Greg Desrosiers (31) and WR Derius Davis (12)
RB Kimani Vidal (28) and RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
RB Keaton Michell (34) and RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
QB DJ Uiagalelei (7)
CB Avery Smith (36)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
TE Johnny Pascuzzi (42) and OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
OLB Garmon Randolph (97)
S Devin Grant (38)
S Devin Grant (38)
LB Lander Barton (57)
LB Lander Barton (57)
LB Lander Barton (57)
OLB Nadame Tucker (56)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
CB Avery Smith (36) and DL Terry Webb (64)
DL Terry Webb (64)
OLB Nadame Tucker (56) and DL Terry Webb (64)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
OLB Nadame Tucker (56) and LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50)
LB Emany Johnson (50) and S Myles Purchase (41)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WR Gary Jennings (87)
WRLiam Clifford (39)
WRLiam Clifford (39)
WRLiam Clifford (39)
WRLiam Clifford (39)
RB Greg Desrosiers (31)
WR Ladd McConkey (15)
WR Ladd McConkey (15)
4. Ups and downs on special teams
The Chargers didn't get a chance to kick a potential game-winning field goal Thursday night, as DJ Uiagalelei's heroic effort was foiled by a strip sack.
However, if the Bolts had gotten into field goal range, Haraugh said postgame that J.K. Scott would have attempted it withe Cameron Dicker holding on the play.
But this wasn't a fun changeup as Harbaugh noted that Dicker was "working through a little something" during the game.
"JK was going to do the field goal and Cam was going to hold," Harbaugh said.
Dicker attempted the game's opening kickoff before Scott handled the other three kickoffs for the rest of the game, including one that landed outside the landing zone.
It was an up-and-down performance by Scott, whose first punt only went 20 yards before his second went 33 yards.
Dicker, meanwhile, made his lone extra point Thursday but later missed a 49-yard try before rebounding with a 34-yard make.
5. Derosiers makes his mark
On a night where the Bolts surpassed 200 yards on the ground, it was undrafted rookie Gregory Derosiers who made his presence known the most.
The Memphis product finished the game with a game-leading 118 yards rushing on nine attempts to go along with a reception for eight yards.
"He was great. We really like him," Harbaugh said about Derosiers. "Such a good feeling when you see guys playing the game of football that way.
"Playing with their whole heart, actually putting their soul into it," he added.
And the undrafted rookie's biggest play of the night came early in the fourth quarter.
The Bolts were marching in Rams territory on the 34-yard line when Derosiers burst through the second level after some great blocking up front — and he refused to go down.
The running back broke through multiple tackles as he accelerated into the end zone for the touchdown.
"I think I played well. I was able to showcase the talent and different attributes of my game," Derosiers said. "I'm blessed Mike [McDaniel] was able to call my number a bunch of times.
"I think we all played well as an offensive unit," he added. "The offensive line was doing an amazing job creating gaps and lanes for all the running backs to showcase what they can do."
Derosiers gave credit to the entirety of the running backs room for everything they've helped him with since arriving with the team.
With the 53-man roster cutdown deadline on Sunday, the undrafted rookie set out to simply play his game and let the rest figure itself out.
"I do not know. I'm new to this league, so I have no idea what to expect," Derosiers said. "Especially today, I put it in my heart to just go out there and ball. Do what I can to get on a team, hopefully this one.
"Whatever happens is in God's hands and control what I can control because at the end of the day they're going to have a big decision to make," he added. "My job was to make it hard for them."
