Jalen Guyton

Chargers Activate Two From PUP, Place WR Josh Palmer On IR

The Chargers are bringing in some reinforcements in the form of two players coming back from long-term injuries. This morning, the team announced that they were activating wide receiver Jalen Guyton and defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia from the reserve/physically unable to perform list. In order to make room on the roster, Los Angeles made two corresponding moves, placing wide receiver Josh Palmer on injured reserve and waiving defensive tackle Christopher Hinton.

Guyton, while not being a star for the Chargers during his first four years in the NFL, has been a solid contributor in the receiving corps behind usual leading receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, averaging about 480 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Last year, Guyton’s continuation of that role was interrupted by a Week 3 ACL tear that held him out for the remainder of the season.

The Chargers knew they’d be without Guyton for at least four games, deciding to start the year with him on PUP, but they likely didn’t expect it to take eight weeks for him to make his 2023 debut. Regardless, with the recent losses of Williams and Palmer to injury, bringing back Guyton was becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. The deep threat will team up with Allen, rookies Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis, and Simi Fehoko as the only receivers on the active roster.

Ogbonnia appeared in seven games last year as a rookie, even earning a start during his first year in the league. The former track and field star should be able to add to a defensive line that has seen multiple contributors dealing with injuries over the past few weeks. Known in college for his disruptive abilities, Ogbonnia should certainly find himself in some packages on defense soon.

Palmer was declared out for tomorrow night’s game yesterday due to a knee injury he’s been dealing with. Either the ailment is worse than the media has made it seem to this point, or the Chargers are being extra cautious in a season that hasn’t necessarily had the start they would have wanted. Regardless, Palmer’s placement on IR will guarantee his will miss at least the next four games.

Hinton, an undrafted rookie last year, eventually found his way to Los Angeles, where he would make his NFL debut, appearing in four contests in 2022. He was able to make the team’s active roster to start this season but was waived and re-signed over the last month. He’ll hit waivers for the second time this season but could find his way to the practice squad if he clears them.

Chargers Open WR Jalen Guyton’s Practice Window

A productive Chargers deep threat from 2020-21, Jalen Guyton suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 of last season. After more than a year in the rehab process, the former UDFA is back at practice.

The Chargers opened Guyton’s practice window Thursday, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, who adds the team also started defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia‘s 21-day activation clock. Ogbonnia has been out since mid-November of last year, having suffered a ruptured patellar tendon.

Each resided on Los Angeles’ reserve/PUP list; these likely near-future activations will not count against the team’s eight allotted IR in-season activations. Both players are eligible to return for the Bolts’ Week 7 game, but each has three weeks from today to be activated.

Guyton’s return will matter more now than it recently looked to, with Mike Williams out for the season. In addition to Williams’ absence, first-round pick Quentin Johnston is struggling to acclimate to the pro game. The Chargers obviously still have high hopes the TCU alum will do so, but he only has six receptions for 44 yards through six games.

A former UDFA out of North Texas, Guyton re-signed with the Chargers this offseason. Coming off the major knee injury, the 212-pound wideout is tied to a one-year, $1.23MM contract. Guyton totaled 59 receptions for 959 yards from 2020-21, scoring six touchdowns in that span. Guyton, 26, averaged 18.3 yards per reception in 2020 and was on the receiving end of one of this NFL period’s best deep connections — a 59-yard TD pass against the Giants — a year later. He worked as a Williams-Keenan Allen supporting-caster in that span, debuting before Josh Palmer. The 2021 third-round pick is now in place as the Chargers’ No. 2 wideout; Guyton will have a chance to return to a tertiary role.

Chosen in the 2022 fifth round, Ogbonnia only played in seven games before suffering the severe knee injury. The UCLA product played 31% of the Chargers’ defensive snaps last season. A rotational role appears likely this year as well, provided Ogbonnia completes his ramp-up period without any setbacks. Both he and Guyton were eligible to return in Week 6; their re-emergences figure to take place shortly after. For Guyton, this comeback will begin a platform season. A steady gig as a Herbert complementary target could produce a free agency market come 2024.

Chargers Finalize 53-Man Roster

The Chargers took care of most of their headline moves before the deadline today. They used today to take care of the remaining moves necessary to get down to the 53-man roster limit. Here are the team’s moves from today:

Waived:

Placed on reserve/PUP:

Seventh-round rookie quarterback Max Duggan failed to make the roster behind starter Justin Herbert and backup Easton Stick. At running back, though, undrafted rookie running back Elijah Dotson impressed enough in the preseason to make the active roster in the regular season.

The team will carry a simple, five-man receiving corps into the season with Guyton on the physically unable to perform list. Returning wideouts Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Josh Palmer will be joined by former TCU draft picks Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis.

Cameron Dicker winning the kicking battle led to the trading of Dustin Hopkins and the waiving of Cade York. After making 19 of his 20 kick attempts for the Chargers in his rookie year and converting all 22 of his extra point attempts, Dicker will remain the team’s placekicker moving forward.

Chargers WR Jalen Guyton To Start Season On PUP List

The ACL tear Jalen Guyton suffered in Week 3 will lead to him missing more than a year. The Chargers wide receiver will be moved from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

This shift will lead to Guyton missing at least four games, though the deep threat can begin practicing ahead of Week 3. Guyton went down against the Jaguars on Sept. 25, 2022. He will not be eligible to play until the Chargers’ Week 6 game against the Cowboys — Los Angeles’ bye comes in Week 5 — on Oct. 16.

Guyton showed promising ability in 2020 and 2021, combining for 959 receiving yards and six touchdowns in that span. A rather memorable 59-yard TD pass from Justin Herbert, against the Giants in 2021, headlines Guyton’s highlight reel. The Chargers missed the former UDFA last season. They now have a deeper receiving corps and a new offensive coordinator, with Kellen Moore replacing Joe Lombardi.

The Chargers used their first-round pick on TCU’s Quentin Johnston and crowded their receiver room by drafting Johnston Horned Frogs teammate Derius Davis, who is in place as the Bolts’ return man. Josh Palmer, who logged extensive time replacing Keenan Allen and then Mike Williams as a starter last season, resides as a regular in the Allen- and Williams-led group as well. While ex-Eagle John Hightower showed early promise, a mid-training camp injury halted his momentum. Whomever the sixth receiver on the Chargers’ depth chart ends up being, Guyton looms as a potential in-season addition.

While the Bolts have a better receiver situation compared to their 2022 unit, they still re-signed Guyton. That move occurred just before the draft, however. The 26-year-old pass catcher’s $1.23MM deal only includes $76K guaranteed, introducing questions about the Bolts’ plans once Guyton recovers.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Raiders, Samuel

Although their interest in Dalvin Cook appeared to cool early in the long-running sweepstakes, the Broncos did keep tabs on the high-profile free agent. The team continued to look into Cook, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance (video link). Cook has since signed a one-year, $7MM Jets deal. While Pelissero adds the Broncos may look to add another back to a group headlined by Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, the team is sorting through some options behind the veterans. Second-year back Tyler Badie, rookie UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin and ex-Sean Payton Saints charge Tony Jones Jr. are vying for Denver’s RB3 job presently.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • The Raiders took a few fliers at cornerback in free agency, signing Duke Shelley and David Long and reuniting with Brandon Facyson. None of the trio looks likely to start. Instead, fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett looks to have leapfrogged them. Shelley and Long have fallen out of the mix to start, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashaun Reed, who project Bennett to start alongside Marcus Peters and Nate Hobbs (subscription required). Both Long and Facyson have missed time due to injury in camp. The Raiders chose Bennett 104th overall, which would make a Week 1 starting assignment notable. But the Silver and Black, who let Rock Ya-Sin walk (to replace Peters in Baltimore), came into the offseason with major questions at corner.
  • Despite a three-interception wild-card performance, third-year Chargers corner Asante Samuel Jr. faced the prospect of being a backup to start this season. Ja’Sir Taylor, a sixth-round 2022 draftee, has competed with the multiyear starter for the slot job. But Samuel looks to have surged ahead, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. If J.C. Jackson completes his recovery from a torn patellar tendon in time, the Chargers are preparing to roll out a Jackson-Samuel-Michael Davis cornerback look. If Jackson needs more time, the Bolts would likely go with a Davis-Samuel-Taylor trio.
  • The Bolts are fairly set at receiver, with Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis‘ Fort Worth-to-Los Angeles treks giving the team five locks at the position. In addition to the TCU alums, Josh Palmer has made strides in his third training camp. This looked to put Jalen Guyton and John Hightower to a battle for the final spot, Popper adds. But both players are dealing with injuries. After a strong start to camp, Hightower — a 2020 Eagles draftee who has not caught a pass since his rookie year — suffered an injury and has not practiced in a week. Guyton, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of last season, remains on the Bolts’ active/PUP list. Stashing the deep threat on the reserve/PUP list to start the season is looking likely, per Popper.
  • K’Waun Williams is expected to be the Broncos‘ slot corner for a second season, but an ankle injury has sidelined him for over a week. The veteran slot defender sought a second opinion on the injury recently, per 9News’ Mike Klis, who notes surgery is not on the docket at this point. A rest-and-rehab operation will be utilized to have Williams ready for Week 1, though this becomes a situation to monitor for a Broncos team that remains without third-round corner Riley Moss. Essang Bassey filled in for Williams as the top nickel in Denver’s preseason opener.
  • Davis Webb resides in the strange position of being a 28-year-old quarterbacks coach tasked with helping a decorated 34-year-old passer bounce back. But Russell Wilson‘s position coach has been on the coaching radar for a bit now, despite only retiring this year. After the Bills wanted him to be their QBs coach last year, Sean McDermott, Brian Daboll and Eli Manning endorsed Webb to Payton, Jori Epstein of Yahoo.com notes. Webb “blew away” Broncos brass in his interview, per GM George Paton. His final season — as a Giants third-stringer — involved scouting and coaching, Epstein adds, making this an easier transition than it would appear.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/26/23

Today’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: WR Cody Chrest
  • Placed on NFI: OT Caleb Jones
  • Waived/injured: WR Jeff Cotton

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Among the additions on today’s list, defensive back A.J. Moore is the most notable. The defensive back spent four years with the Texans to begin his career, compiling 69 tackles in 55 games while primarily playing on special teams. The 27-year-old spent a chunk of last season on the Titans practice squad, and he ultimately got into one game with the big-league club.

Chargers Rumors: Safety Battle, IOL, WR

As the Chargers look to shape their roster throughout training camp, the coaches will be paying close attention to the safety position, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Obviously, Derwin James is cemented into a starting safety spot, but there is expected to be competition both for the starting job next to him and for a potential fourth safety spot on the roster.

With former starting safety Nasir Adderley retiring upon the expiration of his rookie contract, the starting safety job next to James is wide open. Alohi Gilman enters camp as the expected starter, but second-year player JT Woods will have every opportunity to take the job out from under Gilman. Gilman has nine starts over his first three seasons and has made some significant contributions to the Los Angeles defense in that time. Woods had one start in ten appearances during his rookie year but is expected to take a leap forward in his sophomore season.

Both Gilman and Woods are locks for the 53-man roster, but Popper predicts that only one other safety will join James, Gilman, and Woods in September. He’s boiled that battle down to Raheem Layne and Mark Webb. After signing as an undrafted free agent last year, Layne appeared is six games as a rookie, standing out in training camp and carving out a role on special teams. As a 2021 seventh-round pick, Webb’s rookie season was cut short by injury before he spent the whole of last year on the practice squad. Popper believes that if Webb can stay on the field during camp, he has a serious chance at pushing Layne for that final roster spot.

Here are a couple other rumors coming out of LA:

  • After watching the struggles of backup offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes through his first two seasons, the Chargers appear ready to work out other options. The team seems to be high on Zack Bailey as a more reliable backup guard than Jaimes, according to Popper. Bailey appeared in his first NFL contest last year after going undrafted in 2019, but Los Angeles believes he can be a strong secondary option on the interior. Backing up starting center Corey Linsley is expected to be veteran Will Clapp. Clapp started three games in place of Linsley last season and seemingly has done enough to lock up the backup center job.
  • The final roster battle to watch in camp is at wide receiver, according to Popper. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, and rookie Quentin Johnston are no brainers to make the final roster. Fellow TCU rookie Derius Davis has a really good chance to make the team due to his return abilities. Popper believes that the team could take one more wideout. Jalen Guyton‘s deep-threat ability and size could make a strong case for the job, but he’s coming back from a torn ACL, which could factor into the decision. His main competition is likely Keelan Doss. Doss got regular work this spring with the first-team offense while Williams and Palmer were absent. He made enough noise in OTAs and minicamp that he has a strong chance of pushing Guyton for a final roster spot.

Chargers Bring Back WR Jalen Guyton

Jalen Guyton‘s September ACL tear cost him most of the season, and it led to the Chargers nontendering him as a restricted free agent last month. But the deep threat remains in the Bolts’ plans.

The Chargers and Guyton reunited Monday; the fifth-year wide receiver signed a new deal with the team ahead of the Bolts beginning their offseason workouts. After a month as an unrestricted free agent, the 6-foot-1 wideout will return to work for the franchise that has employed him since 2019.

[RELATED: Chargers Re-Sign TE Donald Parham]

While Josh Palmer ascended to what has become a vital WR3 role for the Bolts last season, Guyton served as a key auxiliary Justin Herbert target in each of their two full slates working together. Guyton’s 2020 and 2021 yardage totals (511, 448) were third among Chargers wideouts in those seasons, with the latter total surpassing Palmer’s in his rookie year. Guyton and Palmer, who has two years left on his rookie contract, will attempt to fill in alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams once again.

The Chargers initially picked up Guyton, a Cowboys post-draft signee, as a practice squad addition in October 2019. He is perhaps best known for being on the receiving end of a 2021 Herbert laser that traveled more than 60 yards in the air. Guyton, 25, recovering from his ACL injury would certainly bolster the Bolts’ depth. The North Texas product caught three touchdown passes in 2020 and ’21, and the Chargers missed his deep-threat capabilities at points last season.

Thus far, the Bolts are running it back at receiver. Tom Telesco shot down the notion Allen could be traded to create cap space. The team has its Allen-Williams-Palmer-Guyton quartet back in the fold, but after both the veteran targets missed extensive time last season, an early-round wideout draft choice is on the radar. Such an addition could complicate Palmer and Guyton’s roles. For now, the two will be back as the team’s top supporting-cast wideouts.

Chargers’ Joey Bosa Likely To Miss Time

Continuing what has been a rough Monday for the Chargers, Brandon Staley confirmed Joey Bosa is battling a significant groin injury.

The second-year Bolts HC has not determined if the perennial Pro Bowl edge rusher will need to go on IR, but it looks likely he will miss time after leaving Sunday’s blowout loss early. The Bosa news follows the report of Rashawn Slater‘s biceps tear, an issue that is expected to sideline the Pro Bowl left tackle for the season.

Bosa played just 13 defensive snaps against the Jaguars. While injury trouble has not hounded Bosa every year, he has run into several maladies that have required absences over the course of his career. The four-time Pro Bowler missed four games as a rookie in 2016 (hamstring), was shut down for nine during the 2018 season (foot) and missed four more contests in 2020 (two concussions). This run of even-year injury trouble comes at a bad time for a Chargers team that reloaded on defense around Justin Herbert‘s rookie contract this offseason.

Los Angeles traded for Khalil Mack as part of that effort, letting Uchenna Nwosu defect to Seattle in free agency. The Bolts signed longtime Patriots hybrid linebacker Kyle Van Noy in free agency but used Chris Rumph as Bosa’s primary replacement Sunday. A 2021 fourth-round pick out of Duke, Rumph notched one sack in 16 games behind Bosa and Nwosu last season.

Staley confirmed the team believes Slater suffered a biceps injury and added wide receiver Jalen Guyton sustained a torn ACL. The backup wide receiver also will miss the rest of the season. The Chargers, who played without Keenan Allen for a second straight week, have Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter in place as options alongside Mike Williams. But the injuries are piling up for the oft-injury-prone team. In addition to Herbert’s rib cartilage fracture, the Bolts were without Pro Bowlers Corey Linsley and J.C. Jackson against the Jaguars.

Chargers WR Jalen Guyton, TE Donald Parham Sign ERFA Tenders

A pair of offensive skill players signed their tenders with the Chargers today. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), wide receiver Jalen Guyton and tight end Donald Parham officially inked their exclusive rights free agent tenders.

Guyton, a 2019 undrafted free agent out of North Texas, has spent the majority of his three-year career with the Chargers. He basically redshirted his rookie campaign before turning into a serviceable target for Justin Herbert over the past two seasons. In 32 games (11 starts) between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Guyton has hauled in 59 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns.

After bouncing around the NFL and XFL to begin his professional career, Parham caught on with the Chargers in 2020. He’s seen time in 27 games (14 starts) over the past two years, hauling in 30 receptions for 349 yards and six touchdowns. His 2021 season ended on IR after he suffered a scary concussion in December.

The Chargers also officially announced the signing of linebacker Troy Reeder today. We learned that Reeder was inking a one-year deal with the team this past weekend.