Chargers’ most agonizing roster decision looming on 2026 cutdown day

Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers will face several difficult decisions when finalizing their initial 53-man roster next week, but none may be more agonizing than the final spot in the linebacker room.

Ahead of the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Chargers have six linebackers who are nearly guaranteed to make the team: Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Akheem Mesidor, and Kyle Kennard.

Kennard may not be as secure as the established starters, but it would be surprising to see Los Angeles move on from him. Veteran edge rusher Bud Dupree is also expected to survive cutdown day, even if his age and contract make him a possible surprise release.

Assuming all seven make the team, the Chargers could have only three linebacker positions remaining.

That would leave Junior Colson, Troy Dye, Marlowe Wax, Del’Shawn Phillips, and N‌a‌d‌a‌m‌e Tucker competing for backup and special teams roles. With five outside linebackers already projected to make the roster, those remaining spots will likely go to inside linebackers who can contribute on special teams.

That math could leave Tucker headed for the practice squad, assuming he accepts that role.

Junior Colson could lose final linebacker spot to Marlowe Wax

ESPN’s Kris Rhim projects Dye, Wax and Phillips to claim the final three linebacker positions, leaving Colson on the outside looking in.

That would be a painful decision for Harbaugh. Colson starred for Harbaugh at Michigan before the Chargers selected him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He represented Harbaugh’s first major Michigan reunion after taking over in Los Angeles and appeared capable of becoming an important part of the defense.

His NFL career has not developed as expected, however. Injuries and inconsistent availability have prevented Colson from establishing himself as a dependable contributor.

Colson provided a reminder of his potential during the Chargers’ second preseason game, returning an interception for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. That pick-six arrived at the perfect time for a player fighting to preserve his roster spot, even if it was a gimme.

One highlight may not be enough. Phillips established himself as a valuable special-teams contributor last season, while Dye has experience as a role player who can handle meaningful snaps when needed. Their established value gives both players an advantage during roster deliberations.

That could leave Colson battling Wax for the final opening. Wax has put together an impressive training camp and may offer more immediate value. Cutting Colson would mean admitting that a recent third-round investment — and one of Harbaugh’s Michigan connections — did not work out. Keeping him solely because of his draft status and college history would be an even bigger mistake if Wax has outperformed him.

Chargers cannot let sentiment influence final decision

Harbaugh’s familiarity with Colson should not determine the outcome. The Chargers are trying to compete for a championship, meaning roster spots must go to the players who can help them now. Colson’s interception return strengthened his case, and if the coaching staff believes he can remain healthy and develop into a defensive contributor, keeping him would be defensible.

However, Wax has made this a legitimate competition. The final decision may come down to special teams, availability, and which player the Chargers believe is more likely to survive waivers. Los Angeles could attempt to retain the loser on its practice squad, although neither player would be guaranteed to clear.

Colson entered camp with the stronger pedigree and a personal connection to Harbaugh. Wax may leave it with the stronger case.

That is what makes the Chargers’ final linebacker decision so difficult — and cutdown day so unforgiving.

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