LA Chargers Practice Squad and Waiver Wire Tracker 2025: Live updates and analysis

The Chargers started signing members to their practice squad today after their initial 53-man roster cutdown.

Earlier in the day, they lost three players with practice squad potential to waivers. RB Raheim Sanders was picked up by the Cleveland Browns who needed a third running back. UDFA WR Dalevon Campbell was claimed by the Carolina Panthers. Finally, 2025 seventh-round draft selection CB Trikweze Bridges was claimed by Dallas.

Here are the members of the first 2025 Chargers practice squad:

G/T Branson Taylor

Branson Taylor was the teams' sixth round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was a raw, toolsy prospect in the draft that the team attempted to convert to guard. At Pitt, Taylor played tackle. But his physical traits made him more of a fit for the guard spot. Later in camp, Taylor trained at both tackle and guard following the injury to Rashawn Slater.

He was always a multiyear project that the Chargers hope can eventually contribute on the main roster. But given the college and preseason tape, that was never going to be a reality this season.

QB DJ Uiagalelei

DJ Uiagalelei definitely showed some signs of progression this preseason. The first half of his fourth preseason game vs. the 49ers last week showcased some really quick decisions and nice throws. He still has some struggles with timing and processing, but he demonstrated that he could be the practice squad project for the Chargers this year.

CB Myles Purchase

Myles Purchase was one of PFF's top five highest graded defensive Chargers players this preseason. The athletic traits and tools were there. He showed them off on this interception vs. Detroit:

Along with Eric Rogers and Nikko Reed, Purchase was a great pickup by the team and scouting staff. The Chargers' depth in the DB room is arguably the best on the team.

EDGE Garmon Randolph

Garmon Randolph put up a pretty good game on tape last week vs. San Francisco. While the rookie EDGE rusher doesn't have a ton of bend, he certainly makes up for it with the power aspect of his game. The Chargers went five deep on the main roster, but Randolph gets a chance to develop and maybe get signed to a futures deal next year.

RB Kimani Vidal

With Sanders getting claimed, getting Kimani Vidal back was likely a priority for the practice squad. There might also be an immediate need to use one of his elevations vs. Kansas City depending on how Najee Harris' first practice week back unfolds. Vidal worked on the first team punt unit this preseason and became more of a special teams cog for Ryan Ficken's unit. No surprise here.

WR Jalen Reagor

I mentioned it in my article when Brenden Rice was cut earlier this week, but Jalen Reagor was always going to be a higher priority on the practice squad than the other receivers. He's trusted in Greg Roman's offense and is a potential backup returner if he needs to be elevated in place of Derius Davis due to injury.

C Josh Kaltenberger

Josh Kaltenberger played a pretty solid first preseason game vs. the Lions. But the rest of the preseason was marred with poor assignment recognition and lost blocks on tape. There's some physical tools to work with, but he needs time to develop.

S Tony Jefferson

Tony Jefferson was one of the Chargers' most difficult cuts. Over the last year, he had put up great tape in each of the last two preseasons. Jefferson received a 93.5 defensive grade from PFF from his four preseason games this year.

Jefferson was not prone to waiver claims as a veteran and could sign with any team of his choosing, whether it was the practice squad or another 53-man roster. In the end, he chose to stay with the Bolts and continue the unction.

OT David Sharpe

David Sharpe was signed as a preseason tackle body following the Rashawn Slater injury. While he was at one point competing to remain ion the 53-man roster, it became clear that Sharpe wouldn't be able to stick there. OC Greg Roman said that he needed time to get back into football shape. He struggled with a penalty and two pressures on 50 snaps at tackle vs. the 49ers last week.

But Sharpe is a perfectly fine practice squad level player once he does get back into the swing of things physically.

IPP TE Thomas Yassmin

Thomas Yassmin is the Chargers' 17th "extra" practice squad member via his International Player Pathway designation. The Chargers picked him up after parting ways with TE Jordan Petaia due to an injury designation.

CB Harrison Hand

The Chargers signed Harrison Hand about two weeks ago after a number of cornerback injuries hit them in the preseason. Along with Myles Purchase, he provides playable depth. But it's worth noting that the Chargers still have an excess of defensive backs (12) on the main roster to churn through.

DT TeRah Edwards

UDFA TeRah Edwards played well this preseason. He produced four stops, three pressures, a sack, and a very memorable interception this preseason.

Edwards was the key standout of the UDFA class along the defensive line.

OG Karsen Barnhart

One of Jim Harbaugh's Michigan favorites returns. Karsen Barnhart was on the 2024 practice squad and will look to run it back this year. It wasn't the best preseason for Barnhart though. He gave up nine pressures in four games and was graded 36.8 in pass blocking by PFF.

LB Emany Johnson

Emany Johnson spent 2024 on the practice squad with the Chargers after a number of injuries piled up on the back half of their defense. He sticks around in 2025.

RB Nyheim Miller-Hines

Nyheim Miller-Hines was out of the league for two years following a jetski accident. He looked fairly good as a runner in the preseason. The former Colts and Bills back had nice juice to still be able to pick up extra yards after contact.

Miller-Hines did struggle at holding onto the ball in the preseason. That ultimately cost him a chance at a roster spot-he had two muffed punt returns and a fumble in four games.

LS Rick Lovato

Former Eagles long snapper Rick Lovato was signed to the Chargers' practice squad. His presence is very notable considering the injury to LS Josh Harris. The Chargers placed Harris on designated to return IR on Tuesday. Jim Harbaugh said that Lovato will be their main roster long snapper until Harris is able to return.

Lovato won two Super Bowls with the Eagles in three appearances.

WR JaQuae Jackson

JaQuae Jackson was signed to the team earlier this training camp after the team lost Mike Williams to retirement. Initially, Jackson was mostly thought of as just a preseason and camp body. But reps and game snaps wise, he clearly earned priority over Brenden Rice and others in the WR room.

The former Rutgers WR has spent time with the Patriots and Falcons in the NFL before his most recent preseason stint with the Chargers.

Jackson likely was a pivot for the team after they lost Campbell to the Panthers on the waiver wire.