Eric D. Williams 9y

Kicker Josh Lambo gets one more look for Chargers

The San Diego Chargers hit the road for the team’s final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at 10 p.m. ET Thursday at Levi’s Stadium. Here are a couple things to watch for during the game:

Why watch: The Chargers appear locked in to a starting offensive line of King Dunlap at left tackle, Orlando Franklin at left guard, Chris Watt at center, D.J. Fluker at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle.

But there’s still competition for reserve roles between players such as Chris Hairston, Jeremiah Sirles and Kenny Wiggins. So it will be interesting to see how offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris rotates those players along the offensive line against San Francisco.

As usual, there’s a tough battle for those last couple of receiver spots on the back end of the roster between Dontrelle Inman, Austin Pettis, Javontee Herndon and Tyrell Williams. The final preseason game could play a role in how that shakes out.

Undrafted rookie kicker Josh Lambo gets one last opportunity to impress San Diego coaches in his effort to unseat incumbent kicker Nick Novak. Lambo performed well against the Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago, making three field goals, including one from 53 yards and the game-winner from 47 yards.

Lambo has the stronger leg on kickoffs -- three of his seven kickoffs during preseason play have been for touchbacks. But Novak remains more consistent on field goals and obviously has more NFL game experience.

Linebackers Nick Dzubnar, Cordarro Law and Colton Underwood have shown they can compete at this level. But the Chargers might not have room to keep them on the 53-man roster, particularly with injured players like guard Johnnie Troutman and outside linebacker Tourek Williams expected back at some point during the first half of the regular season.

Did you know: Chargers head coach Mike McCoy was born in San Francisco and grew up in nearby Novato. … Chargers linebackers coach Mike Nolan served as the 49ers head coach from 2005 to 2008. Nolan’s father, Dick Nolan, was also a 49ers head coach from 1968 to 1975. … Former San Diego cornerback Shareece Wright is competing for a starting cornerback job on San Francisco’s roster.

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