Roster battles intensify as NFL preseason Week 2 highlights depth chart uncertainties
With the 30 August cut-down deadline approaching, key position battles at the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Houston Texans have come into sharp focus following Week 2 action.
Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason has commenced, providing critical data for teams as they finalise their 53-man rosters ahead of the 30 August cut-down deadline. The schedule, which began with two games on Thursday, will continue with three fixtures on Friday, 10 on Saturday, and a Sunday night game, offering further opportunities for players to secure their positions.
At the San Francisco 49ers, the evaluation of receiver and guard depth remains a priority. Jacob Cowing strengthened his case for a roster spot by returning a punt 83 yards for a touchdown, establishing himself as the most reliable punt-return option on the team. However, the left guard position remains unsettled, with rookie Carver Willis, Connor Colby, Robert Jones, and Austen Pleasants all competing for the starting role without a clear frontrunner emerging.
The Los Angeles Chargers face a significant shift at centre following an ACL injury to Tyler Biadasz, who is out indefinitely. Second-round rookie Jake Slaughter is expected to assume the starting role, a position he played throughout his college career. In his first opportunity to start on Thursday, Slaughter played nine snaps and allowed zero pressures, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders are grappling with coverage issues in their young secondary. The unit has struggled in recent preseason games, allowing Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II to combine for 16 straight completions in the first half last week. On Thursday, Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills completed 11 of 15 passes for 93 yards in the first half against Las Vegas, highlighting the developmental challenges facing players such as second-year cornerback Darien Porter and rookie safety Treydan Stukes.
For the Houston Texans, the offensive line configuration is under review. First-round pick Keylan Rutledge started at left guard rather than centre, while Evan Brown took first-team snaps at the centre position. The starting line also included Trent Brown and Aireontae Ersery at tackle, and Ed Ingram at right guard. This setup leaves free agent signees Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller, who signed for a combined $36 million, running with the second unit, raising questions about how Houston will allocate its resources in the regular season.
