Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/24

Today’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.

Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.

Chargers Activate RB Gus Edwards

The Chargers’ backfield will have both of its two offseason additions in place tomorrow. Running back Gus Edwards was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement.

Edwards had his practice window opened earlier this week, giving Los Angeles 21 days to activate him. With no setback occurring, he has returned to the active roster in time for the Bolts’ Week 10 matchup with the Titans. The Chargers have five IR activations remaining for the year.

After bringing in Jim Harbaugh as head coach, the Chargers (now with Greg Roman in place as offensive coordinator and Joe Hortiz as general manager) added Edwards and J.K. Dobbins in free agency as familiar options to the former Ravens staffers in the organization. Dobbins has remained healthy so far in 2024, racking up 727 scrimmage yards and six rushing touchdowns along the way. That is an encouraging output given his injury history, and it figures to boost his market value this spring.

Despite Dobbins’ success, the Chargers rank only 20th in the league in rushing (114.5 yards per game). Edwards retuning to the fold could help in that department. The former UDFA averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in his first four healthy seasons, and he ran for a career-high 810 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. Edwards logged double-digit carries in each of his first two games with Los Angeles, and he and Dobbins figure to split the workload moving forward.

While Dobbins is a pending free agent, Edwards is on the books through 2026 on his $6.5MM pact. None of his base salary ($3MM) for next season is guaranteed, though, so whether or not he remains with the Chargers after this year will depend on his production upon returning to action. The Bolts sit at 5-3 on the year, and their ability to earn a playoff berth will be impacted by their effectives on the ground with both Dobbins and Edwards in play.

Injured Reserve Return Tracker

This offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.

In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August 27 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. This introduces more strategy for teams, who will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.

All players designated for return on August 27 are eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Players who receive return designations after Week 5 also appear on this list.

Here is how teams’ activation puzzles look going into Week 11:

Arizona Cardinals

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Atlanta Falcons

Designated for return from IR (August 27): 

Designated for return: 

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Baltimore Ravens

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 5

Buffalo Bills

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 6

Carolina Panthers

Designated for return:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Chicago Bears

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 4

Cincinnati Bengals

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 5

Cleveland Browns

Reverted to season-ending IR:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 2

Dallas Cowboys

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Denver Broncos

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 3

Detroit Lions

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activations remaining: 7

Green Bay Packers

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

  • DL Jonathan Ford (Week 8)

Activations remaining: 7

Houston Texans

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 3

Indianapolis Colts

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Jacksonville Jaguars

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 3

Kansas City Chiefs

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Las Vegas Raiders

Eligible for activation from IR:

Eligible for activation from reserve/NFI list:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 7

Los Angeles Chargers

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Los Angeles Rams

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

  • OL K.T. Leveston

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 1

Miami Dolphins

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation from IR:

Eligible for activation from reserve/NFI list:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

Minnesota Vikings

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New England Patriots

Designated for return from reserve/non-football illness list (August 27):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New Orleans Saints

Designated for return: 

Activated:

Activations remaining: 5

New York Giants

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

New York Jets

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Philadelphia Eagles

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Pittsburgh Steelers

Designated for return from IR (August 27):

  • OL Dylan Cook

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 4

San Francisco 49ers

Eligible for activation: 

Designated for return:

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 5

Seattle Seahawks

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 5

Tennessee Titans

Eligible for activation:

Activated: 

Activations remaining: 7

Washington Commanders

Eligible for activation:

Activated:

Activations remaining: 6

Chargers Place Junior Colson On IR, Designate Gus Edwards For Return

The Chargers have placed Junior Colson on injured reserve with an ankle injury, another setback for the rookie linebacker who dealt with appendicitis during training camp and missed Weeks 3 and 4 with a hamstring injury.

When healthy, Colson was a rotational contributor to the Chargers’ league-leading defense with a role on special teams. The third-round pick will now be sidelined for at least four weeks, with his earliest possible return coming on December 8 against the Chiefs.

The Chargers have plenty of linebacker depth on the roster with Troy Dye, Nick Niemann, and Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste backing up starters Denzel Perryman and Daiyan Henley.

Los Angeles also designated Gus Edwards to return from injured reserve on Wednesday. The veteran running back landed on IR in October with an ankle injury and is now headed towards a return to the backfield alongside fellow former Raven J.K. Dobbins. Edwards is unlikely to eat heavily into Dobbins’ workload, as he is averaging a career-low 3.0 yards per carry compared to Dobbins’ 4.9 YPC.

The Chargers made another addition to their offense by promoting Jalen Reagor to the active roster to replace Simi Fehoko, who was placed on injured reserve. Reagor signed with the Chargers’ practice squad in September and appeared in the team’s last three games. With Fehoko facing at least a four-game absence with an elbow injury, Reager will move to the 53-man roster to provide receiver depth alongside recently activated veteran DJ Chark.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/6/24

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

  • Signed: T Ryan Hayes

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

While a few players in today’s roundup are catching back on with teams after being cut from their respective club’s active roster, the 49ers are adding Gage. This marks the veteran wideout’s first gig since the Ravens cut him following training camp. Gage, who totaled 700-plus-yard seasons with the Falcons in 2020 and 2021, did not justify a three-year, $30MM Buccaneers contract. The 28-year-old receiver has not played in a regular-season game since suffering a season-nullifying knee injury — a patellar tendon rupture — during Bucs camp in 2023.

2024 NFL Trades

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/24

Tuesday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Free Agent

We don’t have a reason for Moreland’s suspension yet, but we know that it will last three weeks. He hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, but if a team were to sign him, he wouldn’t be available for three games.

Commanders, Chargers Among Suitors For Saints’ Marshon Lattimore

Marshon Lattimore remains a name to watch closely as the Saints face the possibility of dealing away their high-profile corner. The Chiefs have already been connected to pursuing a trade, but they are not alone in that regard.

The Commanders are a “real contender” to land the four-time Pro Bowler, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports. Washington has recently been linked to an addition at the cornerback spot, so today’s update comes as little surprise. The NFC East leaders rank outside the top 10 in total and scoring defense, so adding on that side of the ball would make sense. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds the Commanders have made a “hard push” on the Lattimore front.

Washington is gauging the market for 2023 first-rounder Emmanuel Forbeswho has not lived up to his draft stock so far. A different regime (head coach Dan Quinn, general manager Adam Peters) is in place than the one which selected him, a factor which often comes into play when young players are dealt. Trading away Forbes would open up a roster spot for Lattimore, although other moves could obviously achieve that goal. In any case, the Commanders could stand to add to a secondary which is led at corner by Benjamin St-Juste and second-round rookie Mike Sainristil.

Rapoport’s report notes at least two suitors beyond Kansas City and Washington are likely in play; indeed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s latest Pat McAfee Show appearance lists four teams in the contender category (video link). The Chargers are among them, he adds. Los Angeles’ defense has seen a dramatic turnaround this season under head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, with the unit leading the league in points allowed (12.6 per game). Adding a corner of Lattimore’s caliber would give the team a notable boost in the secondary.

The former Defensive Player of the Year remained mainly healthy through his first five seasons. Since then, however, injuries have been an issue, one which contending teams have taken into account while contemplating a potential deal. A third-round pick was floated earlier today as a possible price to get a deal over the finish line, and Schefter concurs capital in that vicinity is likely in play. He adds a deal is likely to be finalized given the advance nature of talks and the multitude of suitors vying to acquire Lattimore.

New Orleans sits at 2-7 on the year, making them an obvious seller’s candidate. Especially with head coach Dennis Allen no longer in place, it would come as no surprise if Lattimore were to be moved. Term remains on his contract, one which will likely be restructured by an acquiring team.

Chargers Interested In Patriots’ K.J. Osborn

The Chargers showed interest in veteran wide receivers this offseason, doing so after cutting ties with the seven-year Keenan AllenMike Williams tandem. Although Jim Harbaugh is in the process of turning around yet another team, it is back in the WR market.

In addition to showing interest in reacquiring Williams, the Bolts have one of the available Patriots pass catchers on their radar. The AFC West club is believed to be in the K.J. Osborn market, per the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi. With Allen Lazard‘s injury perhaps giving the Jets cold feet on moving Williams, interested teams need to have backup plans.

[RELATED: Examining WR Market’s Final Stage]

It is unclear if a trade market will truly form, though Giardi points to other teams being open to adding the former Vikings slot receiver as well. The Patriots gave Osborn a one-year, $4MM deal in free agency. They are shopping the fifth-year veteran but have also been linked to merely cutting him after the deadline if no deal comes to fruition. For the season, Osborn has just seven receptions for 57 yards.

Were Osborn to be cut following today’s 3pm CT deadline, his vested-veteran status would no longer protect him from waivers. All players cut hit the wire if they are dropped after the deadline, opening the door to Osborn being unable to pick his next team. He is tied to just a $1.18MM base salary, which would not do too much to dissuade an interested team from claiming him. This prospect could convince a team to send a low-level compensation package the Patriots’ way.

Osborn, 27, fared better in Minnesota. He totaled 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2021 and nearly matched those totals in 2022 (650, five) to help the Vikings win the NFC North. Osborn caught 48 passes for 540 yards last season, one that featured four Minnesota starting QBs due to Kirk Cousins‘ midseason Achilles tear.

The Pats appear OK moving Kendrick Bourne or former second-rounder Tyquan Thornton as well. The team pursued big-ticket WR upgrades this offseason but did not add one. Still, the Pats drafted two receivers (Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker) and have Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte rostered.

The Chargers have centered their first post-Allen/Williams passing attack around second-rounder Ladd McConkey; the Pats traded down with the Bolts to give them McConkey access at No. 34. Josh Palmer is currently with the team, but the Chargers may be open to trading the former third-round pick due to the free agent-to-be not being in their 2025 plans. Los Angeles hosted a few receivers this offseason but settled on DJ Chark, who has missed much of this season due to injury.