For most NFL starters, the fourth and final preseason game is spent standing on the sidelines, spitting sunflower seeds and not breaking a sweat until halftime (that run to the locker room is a doozy).
Special Section: San Diego Chargers
But for the backups, it's one final plea to make a roster. Here are the takeaways from Thursday's Chargers-49ers game:
**It seems highly unlikely left tackle Max Starks will make this roster. Starks, a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was expected to be the starter this season. He was lapped by former Philadelphia Eagle King Dunlap and found himself in a competition for the backup spot with second-year tackle Mike Harris. On Thursday, Starks allowed three sacks on backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and was benched by halftime.
**Although third-string quarterback Brad Sorensen fought through the second half, he had a tough night, connecting on just 7 of 18 passes for 44 yards. Sorenson also threw two interceptions. The Chargers haven't carried a third quarterback on their roster since 2010, but head coach Mike McCoy seems favorable of keeping Sorensen.
**Tight end Ladarius Green had a strong game, connecting with Whitehurst for five receptions and 49 yards.
**Safety Jahleel Addae, who's been making a strong case for himself this preseason, finished the game with four tackles, but also allowed a blocked punt -- his second of the preseason.
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**Veteran wide receiver Robert Meachem (a sore spot amongst Chargers fans) was listed third on the depth chart going into this final preseason game. Meachem hasn't seen starting time this preseason, igniting rumors that he might be cut from the team despite $5 million in guaranteed money this season. He left the game with a concussion in the third quarter after catching five passes for 49 yards.
**Linebacker Manti Te'o finishes the preseason with zero tackles and nine snaps, all obtained in the first preseason game. He's been in a walking boot since August 8th with a foot sprain.
**The final score, not that it matters: 41-6, San Francisco. (Still hurts to read, huh?)
