Chargers Waive Andre Williams
Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver‘s injuries and the team’s apparent need for running backs notwithstanding, the Chargers waived Andre Williams, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter).
The Chargers addressed another area of need with the roster spot, promoting Asante Cleveland from their practice squad. Antonio Gates is doubtful to play on Sunday with a hamstring injury.
Williams, who will return to waivers, arrived in San Diego after the Chargers submitted a successful waiver claim for him after the Giants cut him before the season. Considering the Bolts stood third in the waiver-priority hierarchy, Williams could generate some interest from teams stationed further down the line in that pecking order. If he passes through waivers, the third-year running back will become a free agent for the first time.
Gehlken points out (Twitter link) Williams will still receive Week 3 regular-season pay and posits the Chargers could bring him back Monday if he clears waivers.
The former Giants fourth-round pick did not play in a game for the Chargers, and the team’s decision to jettison him leaves just Melvin Gordon, rookie UDFA Kenneth Farrow and recently signed Dexter McCluster as the Bolts’ healthy ball-carrying contingent. Oliver and Woodhead are out for the season with injuries, and McCluster has split time at running back and wide receiver in his career. Gordon’s health continues to be paramount for the 1-1 team.
Williams has a 700-plus-yard rushing season to his credit, in 2014, but the physical runner hasn’t shown much in terms of elusiveness. The former Boston College standout holds a 3.2 yards-per-carry figure for his career.
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Joey Bosa Unlikely To Debut Sunday
The strained hamstring that Chargers rookie defensive end Joey Bosa has battled this month will likely prevent him from making his NFL debut this Sunday, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Chargers, who face the Colts this week, do have a plan for when the third overall pick will crack their lineup, per Gehlken, but the earliest date could be Week 4 against New Orleans.
Thanks to a contentious, lengthy holdout over the summer, Bosa missed all of training camp and sat out each of the Chargers’ four preseason games, which placed him behind the 8-ball. The ex-Ohio State Buckeye and the Chargers fought over offset language and signing bonus distribution in Bosa’s deal before eventually agreeing to a compromise Aug. 29.
Bosa has progressed toward seeing his first pro action lately, as the 21-year-old engaged in back-to-back practices Wednesday and Thursday for the first time since early June. Before this week, the Chargers’ Aug. 30 practice was the only one he had participated in since the spring.
San Diego has started 1-1 without Bosa, a two-time All-American who combined for 51 tackles for loss and 26 sacks during his three-year college career. The Chargers’ Bosa-less defense racked up two sacks and a pair of interceptions in the team’s 38-14 win over Jacksonville last Sunday.
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Melvin Ingram Changes Agents
Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, who is in his contract year, has changed representation, Liz Mullen of SBJ tweets. Ingram has left Athletes First to join up with Ari Nissim, Kim Miale, and John Thornton of Roc Nation. Ingram, 27, is earning $7.751MM in 2016 under the terms of his fifth-year option. Last season, Ingram posted the best results of his career, racking up 10.5 sacks.
Practice Squad Updates: 9/22/16
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Cleveland Browns
- Cut: P Michael Palardy
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: C Shane McDermott
- Cut: C Jake Brendel (Twitter link via Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News)
Denver Broncos
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: WR Isaiah Burse
- Cut: WR Jonathan Krause (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
Chargers Waive Isaiah Burse
- The Chargers waived wide receiver Isaiah Burse, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets.
Chargers Sign TE Austin Traylor
San Diego Chargers
Chargers Meet With Ronnie Hillman
Workout Tuesday has brought us yet another high-profile visit. The Chargers hosted running back Ronnie Hillman on a visit today, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter). 
Hillman, a 2012 third-round pick, was cut loose by Denver in early September despite notching the most offensive snaps, carries, starts, yards, and touchdowns of any Broncos tailback in 2015. This summer, the Broncos preferred Kapri Bibbs for his kick return ability and rookie Devontae Booker for his upside. All in all, Denver felt it would be best to cut Hillman loose and save $1.4MM of his $2MM contract.
The Chargers, of course, are looking for replacements after losing Danny Woodhead for the season, but they already inked Dexter McCluster earlier today. It remains to be seen whether McCluster took Hillman’s spot or if the Chargers could still be in the market for another tailback. The Chargers’ RB group currently consists of Melvin Gordon, Kenneth Farrow, McCluster, and former Giant Andre Williams.
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Chargers Sign Dexter McCluster
In need of help at running back, the Chargers will sign free agent Dexter McCluster, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. San Diego has been evaluating its options after losing Danny Woodhead for the season. 
McCluster was let go by the Titans on Sept. 2 as they trimmed down to a 53-man roster. He was one of several surprising cuts in Tennessee as the new regime cleaned house by cutting a number of high-profile names. McCluster averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season in Tennessee and averaged 8.4 yards per reception, but the Titans saw a better use for his roster spot.
The Chargers, meanwhile, need a pass-catching threat to partner up with sophomore Melvin Gordon and they see McCluster as a viable fill-in. . The 28-year-old logged 31 receptions last season and has finished with no fewer than 21 catches in any of his six NFL campaigns. As a special teamer, McCluster took back 24 punts in 2015 and finished 13th in the league in yards per return (9.0), so he can also offer help in the third facet of the game, if needed.
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Chargers Place Danny Woodhead On IR
Bad news for the Chargers as running back Danny Woodhead is done for the year. Tests revealed that the veteran suffered a torn ACL, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Chargers officially announced that they are placing him on IR.
Woodhead, 31, appeared in all 16 games for the Chargers last season, catching 80 passes for 755 yards and six touchdowns. He also added 336 yards on the ground off of 98 carries and three touchdowns, but it was his pass-catching ability out of the backfield that really boosted the Bolts’ defense. This year, he was expected to serve as a complement to sophomore tailback Melvin Gordon. Now, the Chargers may lean more on UDFA Kenneth Farrow and former Giant Andre Williams.
Through two games this season, Woodhead had six catches for 35 yards and one score. He also ran for 116 yards off of just 19 attempts. He is in the final year of the two-year extension he signed with the Chargers in 2014, so his future beyond this year is uncertain.
To fill his spot on the roster, the Chargers are signing wide receiver Griff Whalen. Whalen, 26, spent the offseason with the Dolphins but was ultimately cut by Miami. He auditioned for San Diego last week, leading to today’s deal.
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Chargers’ Jahleel Addae Fractures Collarbone
Chargers safety Jahleel Addae fractured his left collarbone in the team’s 38-14 win over the Jaguars on Sunday, reports Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). Addae will likely undergo surgery, which would require a four- to six-week recovery period. 
Addae has been with the Chargers since 2013, when the club signed him as an undrafted free agent from Central Michigan. After combining for 27 appearances and seven starts in his first two years, Addae picked up 12 of a possible 13 starts last season and amassed a career-high 65 tackles. He added another 11 during the Bolts’ first two games this season before departing in the fourth quarter Sunday.
With Addae set to miss the next several weeks, San Diego could turn to in-house options Dexter McCoil, Darrell Stuckey or Adrian Phillips in his absence. McCoil and Stuckey took the field in the Chargers’ first two games, but Phillips has been inactive thus far.
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