The Los Angeles Chargers have more questions at the wide receiver position than perhaps any team in the league right now, and Brenden Rice wants to keep his name in those muddy waters.
Rice, son of the legendary Jerry Rice, was drafted in the seventh round by the Chargers last spring. Because he fell down the board in the draft, many thought the team may have gotten a steal. But after a quiet rookie season and a slow start to camp this summer, many were beginning to write him off. You would be hard-pressed to find a 53-man roster projection that has him making the team.
But after catching just one pass for 13 yards in the Hall of Fame Game, Rice knew he needed to make something happen. He used the practice session on Sunday to do just that, catching a pair of touchdowns.
b riceeeee pic.twitter.com/KCTgqp3G6S
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 3, 2025
Rice is sliding down the depth chart, particularly with the emergence of fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
Rice still has three preseason games and several more practices to continue this momentum, and he’s going to need to do that. Looking at the depth chart in relation to what the 53-man roster will look like, Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis and Lambert-Smith are all but certain to be part of the squad. That likely leaves on more spot.
Rice will have to fend off the likes of Jalen Reagor, Dalevon Campbell, Luke Grimm and others to snag that final spot, but Sunday’s performance is a big step in the right direction for that to happen.
Of course, if the Chargers bring back Keenan Allen, that would all but eliminate his chances and have him hoping for a spot on the practice squad.
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