Sage Surratt

Chargers Trim Roster To 53

As final cuts continue to be announced, the Chargers have unveiled their list of departing players. Here is the final tally:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

Covington represents by far the most experienced player being let go. He spent just one season in Los Angeles, starting three of his 16 appearances. While the 28-year-old Canadian set a new career-high in tackles with 52, he was part of the league’s third-worst run defense. That, coupled with Covington’s small roster bonus, made him a logical cut candidate.

The Chargers have a crowded backfield to work with, and one main training camp storyline has been the competition to establish the pecking order behind Austin EkelerBy waiving Nabers, however, the team can keep one more back on the 53-man roster. Given their passing efficiency, eliminating the fullback position from the offense would allow them to keep the former UDFA on the practice squad (if at all); if not, Nabers will need to find one of the few remaining teams with a spot for his skillset.

Surratt carries the most upside amongst the TE departures. The converted WR didn’t play during his rookie season, but demonstrated his talent in college, including a 1,000-yerd season at Wake Forest. Given his absence from the 2020 college season, as well as the 2021 NFL campaign, though, keeping the six-foot-three, 215-pounder as a depth option behind Gerald Everett could better be done via the practice squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/29/22

Teams have until 3pm Tuesday to slash their rosters from 80 to 53 players. Here are the Monday moves teams are making en route to doing so. The list will be updated throughout the day.

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/31/22

Here are the minor moves to wrap up the weekend:

Los Angeles Chargers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Activated from active/PUP: CB Don Gardner

Surratt went undrafted last year after opting out of the 2020 college football season, an option given to all football players that year due to COVID-19. He considered entering the 2020 NFL Draft after an impressive redshirt sophomore season at Wake Forest, but ultimately decided to return before eventually opting out. Despite only playing in 9 games with the Demon Deacons in 2019, Surratt totaled 66 receptions for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns. Unfortunately, averaging 111.22 receiving yards per game in 2019 didn’t build his draft stock enough for the 2021 Draft. Surratt has spent time on the practice squads for the Lions and the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL but hasn’t seen the field for either. The Chargers will hope to tap into that explosive play from three years ago.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These BearsLionsPackers and Vikings moves are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Chicago Bears

Claimed:

Signed:

Waived:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Detroit Lions

Released/Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Green Bay Packers

Signed to practice squad:

Minnesota Vikings

Signed:

Claimed:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Lions Down To 53

The Lions have their 53-man roster in place. On Tuesday, the Lions officially cut:

Released

Waived

Placed on Reserve/Suspended

The Lions will carry three quarterbacks for now in Jard Goff, Tim Boyle, and David Blough. Boyle is currently dealing with an injured thumb, which will keep him sidelined for two months. But, in order to hang on to him and dress him ASAP, they’ll have to carry him on their initial 53-man roster. Fortunately, Goff has proven largely durable during his five-year career. He did not miss a start due to injury until late last season, when a thumb surgery sidelined him.

Wake Forest WR Sage Surratt Opts Out

Wake Forest wide receiver Sage Surratt announced that he will opt out of the 2020 college football season and turn his attention to preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft (Twitter link). Surratt, widely projected to be a first-round pick next April, is just the latest college football star to skip out on the upcoming campaign. 

[RELATED: Purdue WR Rondale Moore Opts Out]

In recent days, Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Minnesota wideout Rashod Bateman, and Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore have decided to prioritize their safety and long-term career prospects. Surratt is widely projected as one of the top WR talents in the ’21 class, along with LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama stars Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith.

Surratt, who boasts size and power at 6’3″, caught some attention as a frosh in 2018 with 41 catches for 581 yards and four touchdowns. Last year, he made an even stronger case for NFL evaluators: 66 receptions for 1,001 yards and eleven scores.

More players from the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 conferences are expected to pass on playing this year, including some of the game’s top prospects for the upcoming draft.