The Chargers placed a key defender on season-ending IR and made a quarterback decision. Here are the Bolts’ moves to reach the 53-man roster limit:
Released:
- CB Harrison Hand
- QB Taylor Heinicke
- S Tony Jefferson
- LB Kana’i Mauga
- RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
- LB Del’Shawn Phillips
- WR Jalen Reagor
- T David Sharpe
Waived:
- G Karsen Barnhart
- DB Trikweze Bridges
- WR Dalevon Campbell
- DL TeRah Edwards
- WR Luke Grimm
- OLB Kylan Guidry
- DL Christopher Hinton
- WR JaQuae Jackson
- LB Emany Johnson
- G Nash Jones
- C Josh Kaltenberger
- TE Stevo Klotz
- OLB Tre’Mon Morris-Brash
- T Ryan Nelson
- CB Myles Purchase
- OLB Garmon Randolph
- WR Brenden Rice
- RB Raheim Sanders
- CB Nehemiah Shelton
- DL Nesta Jade Silvera
- T Corey Stewart
- G Branson Taylor
- QB DJ Uiagalelei
- RB Kimani Vidal
- TE Thomas Yassmin
Waived/injured:
- WR Jaylen Johnson
- S Jaylen Jones
- RB Jaret Patterson
Placed on IR:
Placed on IR (return designation):
- LS Josh Harris
- DB Deane Leonard
It is not known what injury Colson suffered — teams do not have to disclose injuries until Week 1 — but this is a significant setback for the former Jim Harbaugh Michigan pupil. Colson entered training camp with a chance to earn the starting linebacker job alongside Daiyan Henley; instead, he will miss the season. Harris and Leonard will be eligible to return from IR after four games; their IR-return placements drop the Bolts’ injury activation count from eight to six.
It is possible the Chargers circle back to Heinicke, who is a vested veteran. A practice squad stashing could make sense, but Trey Lance is also a vested veteran now. The Bolts are keeping the former No. 3 overall pick on their 53-man roster, while Heinicke’s status is uncertain. The Chargers re-signed Heinicke to a one-year, $2.5MM deal. They are positioned to eat $2MM in dead money due to the guarantees given to their 2024 backup.