The Falcons made a semi-surprising move yesterday when they waived a full-time starter from last year, safety Jaylinn Hawkins. The Cal product hit the waiver wire, and while several teams put in a claim to acquire the 26-year-old, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, it was the Chargers who had the winning position to bring him in.
The claim is likely the result of an injury to backup safety Raheem Layne, who reportedly tore his ACL, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Layne was initially fighting for a roster spot to start the year, beating out Mark Webb at the roster cut deadline. He not only made the roster, but he also worked his way up the depth chart, earning a start in place of an injured Alohi Gilman in Week 3.
With Layne out, headed to injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Hawkins comes in with the potential to step in as a starter if Gilman is forced to miss more time. The addition of Hawkins actually adds to the impressive depth of the Chargers’ safety unit. Behind Gilman and Derwin James, Dean Marlowe also provides years of starting experience to the team’s secondary. Between Marlowe and Hawkins, Los Angeles has 42 careers starts from its backups alone.
The Chargers are hoping that their acquisition of Hawkins will serve merely as insurance as Gilman continues to work his way back from the toe injury that has kept him out of the team’s past two games. In case injuries continue to cause issues, though, Los Angeles now has two solid options to start in Gilman’s place.