The Los Angeles Chargers have begun to cut down their roster to reach the 53-man requirement by September 5th, in order to be ready for what will be a challenging and different season due to COVID-19.
The cuts that were made were as follows: Andre Patton (WR), Roderic Teamer Jr. (S), Andrew Vollert (TE), Jared Rice (TE), Koda Martin (G), and PJ Johnson (DT).
The release of Andre Patton was a surprise to some. With the departure of Travis Benjamin to the 49ers, Patton was expected to compete for the starting slot receiver job this preseason.
It is assumed that both of the receivers the Chargers drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft in KJ Hill and Joe Reed, will now have the best shot at winning the starting slot role in the Chargers offense.
UPDATE: Andre Patton was signed by the Arizona Cardinals.
Roderic Teamer Jr. played significant snaps early in the season while Adrian Phillips, Derwin James, and Nassir Adderly were out due to injury. He played at a solid level considering his undrafted free agent tag. Unfortuneltally he was suspended 4 games for breaking the NFL Substance Abuse policy, back in early July. This is the likely reason for his departure from the Chargers, Anthony Lynn and Telesco have been historically strict on off-the-field issues similar to this.
The NFL also has allowed teams to expand their practice squad this season from 10 players to 16 players.
NFL owners ratified increased practice squads of 16 players per team, source says. Four players on the practice squad can be protected from other teams on a weekly basis.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) July 24, 2020
As the Chargers begin to cut down to the 53-man rosters, they will have the ability to keep more players around this year on the practice squad in case of an injury or sickness on the main Chargers roster.
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