Who Will Remain a Charger? : NFL: Team officials know, but aren’t saying. Here’s some possible cuts.

The Chargers’ decision-makers have evaluated personnel and have determined who will be released to reduce their roster to 60.

But it’s a big secret.

Some secret: “I imagine I will be released,” punter Richard Jones said while waiting at the Town & Country Hotel for the official word. “It’s weird just sitting here, but I guess when Tuesday comes I’ll be going to the beach.

“It’s kind of tough around the hotel; there’s not a lot of joking about it. I kind of wish they’d do it right after the game. We’re going to go to meetings and practice and we’re not going to know.

“You have to look at it like it’s a job interview with all the other teams in the league,” said Jones, who punted the ball five times for an average of 37 yards a kick in two exhibition appearances. “Then you can only hope that somebody is watching.”

The Chargers will have to remove at least 19 names from their roster by Tuesday, and Jones’ will undoubtedly be one of them. The team will trim an additional 13 players next week.

“We’re going to wait until (tonight) or Tuesday to make the cuts because we don’t want to cut somebody and then have an injury,” Ross said. “We’re practicing in full pads (today) and you never know.”

You never know, but you can get a pretty good idea of what is going to happen, however, by watching practice for the past five weeks:

QUARTERBACK--The team will carry three into the regular season and the original plan was to sneak Pat O’Hara onto the developmental roster. Jeff Graham, however, has gone into the dumper since the arrival of Stan Humphries. The Chargers’ front office likes O’Hara; Graham looks like the odd man out unless he comes up with last-minute injury to win reprieve via injured reserve. Watch to see how Bobby Ross uses O’Hara and Graham in exhibition finale.

RUNNING BACK--Chargers feed Bob Christian to the waiver wire. If you think Eric Bieniemy finds it difficult getting playing time with the likes of Marion Butts, Rod Bernstine and Ronnie Harmon, consider the plight of Peter Tuipulotu. Bieniemy will have a job, Tuipulotu won’t.

WIDE RECEIVER--Bobby Beathard’s third-round pick, Ray Ethridge, will join the team’s physically unable to perform list. The team says this is not being done because he can’t catch, but because he has a sore hamstring. Why sure, and Elvis is in the building . . . They say that Darrell Colbert has been here for the entire training camp experience; too bad the coaches didn’t notice. Legitimate hamstring injury to Shawn Jefferson will buy time for receivers such as Walter Stanley and Robert Claiborne, and possibly Jimmy Raye, but unless Derrick Faison, Keith McDonald and Johnnie Barnes hire a strongman to break the legs of Anthony Miller and Nate Lewis, they’re history.

TIGHT END--Cedric Jackson began last season as the Lions’ starting running back in favor of an injured Barry Sanders. It looks like he’ll start this football season in front of his TV watching Barry Sanders. He hasn’t been able to beat out some guy named Tony Lenseigne, and when the Chargers talk about the “Return of the Lightning Bolts,” they aren’t talking about Tony Lenseigne. Duane Young, Derrick Walker and rookie Deems May have it made. The team still has to figure out what to do with Craig McEwen, who has been unable to practice because of a sore foot, and if anybody needs to practice . . .

OFFENSIVE LINE--The starting lineup is set, and Leo Goeas draws duty as backup tackle. Rookie Curtis Whitley hangs tough as a reserve center, and Mike Zandofsky, his injured knee willing, provides added depth. Final roster spot will probably come down to 47-man cut between veteran Jeff Walker and rookie Eric Jonassen. Walker is more versatile. Jonassen is a better candidate for the developmental team. That leaves Terry Beuford, Darryl Jenkins and Mark Nue telling friends back home they were victims of the numbers game. Sounds better than mentioning the lack of talent. Chargers could have been down to their last lineman and James Parrish wouldn’t have made it, but the team has a World League waiver and doesn’t have to cut him until next week. Why wait?

DEFENSIVE LINE--Injuries to George Thornton and Burt Grossman make this a tough call. Thornton will miss next game--that’s game; not meal--and that’s good news for Tony Savage. Veteran Mitchell Benson is battling rookie Arthur Paul for the right to survive, but cut might not come this week. Paul has been bothered by injuries, and if he gets dismissed, teams might steer clear, allowing the Chargers to put him on their developmental team. Benson has to get by both Thornton and Savage and that’s a lot of beef. Kevin Little and Reggie White hang around, but stack them side by side and they don’t make up for one signed Joe Phillips.

LINEBACKER--The plan is to use Steve Hendrickson, Euguene Marve and Billy Ray Smith as backups, but will Smith’s body cooperate? Chris Collins says goodby and you never got the chance to say hello. Greg Clark and Galand Thaxton scrap for special teams consideration. Do not be misled: This is not like Affirmed and Alydar battling down the stretch. Clark should get nod because of outside linebacking skills. David Grayson (broken leg) is legitimately designated physically unable to perform.

DEFENSIVE BACKS--After putting Donnie Elder (knee) on injured reserve, thereby losing him for the year, then what? How about someone telling Delton Hall it’s time to start having a clue. Team has World League waivers on Derrick Kelson and Chris Oldham, but does Alex Spanos want to pay for another week of room and board at Town & Country Hotel for two guys who aren’t as good as Donald Frank? Shoulder injury to Frank and desire to keep Gill Byrd healthy may prolong the Charger career of Cedric Mack. On second thought, probably not.

SPECIALISTS--John Kidd’s punt traveled 18 yards to set up the 49ers’ winning score and Richard Jones is the punter the Chargers are going to cut. Welcome to the NFL. Are you paying attention, Carlos Huerta? Injuries at other positions could force team to release Huerta now, although John Carney has yet to make a field goal.