Los Angeles Rams

Things were finally starting to take a turn for the better for QB

Jared Goff, but the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft took another step back in the preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Goff was off to a solid start this preseason before finishing the battle of L.A. with turnovers on consecutive possessions. He finished an encouraging drive with a fumble that led to a 76-yard return touchdown. On the Rams’ next drive, Goff’s pass into double coverage was intercepted.

Goff is still trying to prove to new coach Sean McVay that he’s capable of being the franchise quarterback. He was making strides in practice and preseason games, but his latest performance brought back frustrating memories from last season.

Goff is likely to sit out the final preseason game as the Rams rest their starters, meaning veteran

Sean Mannion should start. Mannion has played well but isn’t pushing Goff for the starting job yet.

“It’s going to be very important for us to maximize practice if that’s the direction we go where (Goff) doesn’t play against Green Bay next week,” McVay said.

Rookie watch: WR Josh Reynolds, continuing to make a case for significant playing time this season, caught a touchdown pass for the second week in a row.

Noteworthy: That scrappy little newcomer with the motor mouth at camp last week was actor Kevin Hart, who was running with the Rams while filming a scene for a television series. ... New WR Sammy Watkins has not caught a pass in the preseason. … RB Malcolm Brown has shown this season that the Rams might have some depth behind Todd Gurley.