The Los Angeles Chargers have reduced their roster for the 2024 NFL season to 53 players. Unfortunately, four players cannot participate due to injury.
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic: Linebacker Chris Rumph II, linebacker Chris Collins, offensive tackle Tyler McLellan and offensive lineman Bucky Williams.
Rumph injured his foot during the Chargers’ preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. He was initially reported to be “out for some time,” but the injury appears to be more serious.
Rumph played three seasons for Los Angeles, recording 39 total tackles, nine QB hits, three sacks and one pass defense.
This is not the first time Rumph has struggled with a foot injury. In 2023, his season ended abruptly when he broke his foot.
McLellan also suffered an injury in a preseason game. The rookie went down in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys after a strong performance in previous games. He was carried off the field and taken to the X-ray room for a possible leg injury.
Fellow rookie Collins is an undrafted free agent who spent six years in the NCAA, including his first five years in the ACC with North Carolina, where he recorded 69 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble.
In his senior year, Collins moved to Minnesota in the Big Ten and recorded 18 total tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Williams is also out for the rest of the season with an unspecified injury. The rookie offensive lineman has played in 26 games in his two years at Appalachian State.
Additionally, Popper reported that linebacker Nick Niemann has been placed on the injured list but is expected to return. He is reportedly dealing with a hamstring issue but could return as early as Week 5. Since the Chargers are off this week, he will likely return in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos.
Niemann was selected 185th overall by the Chargers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was named to the 2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team and recorded 65 total tackles, two pass deflections, one interception and one fumble recovery.
In addition, three players are listed as questionable, although they are expected to return by the start of the 2024 NFL season: linebacker Joey Bosa, wide receiver DJ Chalk Jr. and quarterback Justin Herbert.
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