With Michael Badgley still ailing, the Chargers have added another kicker. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that Los Angeles has signed rookie Chase McLaughlin.
Badgley has missed his team’s first four games as he recovers from a groin injury. As Pelissero notes, the 24-year-old recently suffered a setback that will keep him on the shelf for several more weeks. Punter Ty Long has filled in for the first month of the season, and he’s been solid through four games; the 26-year-old has converted seven of his nine field goal attempts and all nine of his extra point tries.
Long was caught limping during Sunday’s win over the Dolphins. The Chargers presumably don’t want to suffer another special teams injury, and with Badgley out longer than expected, the front office finally decided to add a kicker.
In comes McLaughlin, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois. The former walk-on ended up having a standout college career, earning a Bakken-Anderson Big Ten Kicker of the Year award and a First-Team All-Big Ten nod. He was waived by the Bills at the end of the preseason before catching on with the Vikings practice squad. He was cut by Minnesota in mid-September, and he’s had a single workout (with the Colts) since that time. The 23-year-old will presumably make his NFL debut against the Broncos this weekend.