Chargers' newest addition already has his work cut out for him in training camp

In this era of the Los Angeles Chargers, defensive depth has been one of their trademarks.

Joe Hortiz has worked tirelessly to replenish the talent the Chargers have on that side of the ball. Especially in the secondary, having a number of capable contributors to cycle in and out of the rotation, even if it comes at the cost of high-end starters, has been the goal.

The same isn't necessarily true for the Los Angeles pass rush, though. Outside of Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack last season, the Chargers' depth was less than inspiring before they added Odafe Oweh in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Even with first-round selection Akheem Mesidor in the mix in 2026, the Chargers still can't entirely count on real production from whoever claims the fourth and fifth edge rusher spots.

As of now, Bud Dupree, Kyle Kennard, and UDFA Nadame Tucker are in the mix for those roles. But the Chargers added another piece to the equation on Monday when they added Andre Carter II to the 90-man roster, waiving WR Mante Morrow as their corresponding move.

Carter still has upside to be unlocked a strong, athletic pass rusher, and he represents another depth addition to a room that likely needs it. But even with that in mind, the Chargers' newest addition will face a formidable battle in carving out even a practice squad role with the organization between now and the end of August.

Andre Carter II is a worthy depth addition— but he'll need to show some serious upside if he wants to stick with the Chargers

Swapping Carter for Morrow on the 90-man roster makes perfect sense for the Chargers. Morrow, who signed with Los Angeles as a UDFA this offseason, hasn't shown a ton in training camp. The Chargers also have amassed a relative crowd at the wide receiver position. Beyond their starting trio of Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Tre' Harris, they also have a set of players vying for the 53-man roster in Brenen Thompson, Derius Davis, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

They also currently have Dalevon Campbell, JaQuae Jackson, Devonte Ross, Sincere Brown, and Luke Grimm vying for practice squad roles— all of whom likely have higher NFL upside than Morrow.

Carter, meanwhile, still has some juice left to be unlocked in his abilities as a pass rusher. He fizzled out of the league after a pair of seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders, spending last season on the Miami Dolphins' practice squad and signing a short-lived futures contract with the Washington Commanders.

But he played 46% of the team's special-teams snaps during his 12 games in Minnesota, and he has the power and pure agility to be a long-term developmental swing. In a vacuum, it would probably be the Chargers' best move to keep him on the practice squad in 2026.

But if Kennard is ultimately the one displaced by Tucker, both he and 2025 UDFA Garmon Randolph are likely locks for the practice squad. Randolph was the only OLB the Chargers kept on the practice squad last season.

If Carter wants to stick as a potential depth pass rusher with the Chargers, then, he has just under three weeks to prove he's worth using a spot on— perhaps even surpassing Randolph in the organization's pecking order.

That's a tall task for any player.

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