The expectation for the 2024 NFL Draft after the LA Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh was that the team would bring in at least one player from Harbaugh's Michigan Wolverines. Los Angeles used its third-round pick on Michigan linebacker Junior Colson and then doubled down on Wolverines with wide receiver Cornelius Johnson in the seventh round.
While making the roster was always an uphill battle for Johnson, his blocking ability and perceived special teams upside gave him a chance. However, with Simi Fehoko having a great training camp and preseason, and Brenden Rice having more upside, Johnson did not make the 53-man roster.
Johnson was kept around on the practice squad and it was believed that Harbaugh would keep him around because of his existing ties with him dating back to Michigan. Unfortunately for Johnson, that was not the case. The Chargers made room for two practice squad slots on Monday, parting ways with Johnson in the process.
The Chargers announce that they’ve signed CB Shaun Wade and WR Dez Fitzpatrick to the practice squad and released WR Cornelius Johnson and OLB Andrew Farmer.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 2, 2024
Chargers instantly give up on Michigan's Cornelius Johnson
Johnson making the 53-man roster was always unlikely but it was arguably even more unlikely for Johnson to not even make it to Week 1 on the practice squad. It is clear that Johnson could not keep up at NFL speed as the Chargers opted to keep other receivers on the practice squad over him.
Whether or not Johnson lands on his feet on another practice squad remains to be seen. The late seventh-round pick did not make a big impression to external teams in the preseason and they have no way of knowing what he looked like in practice.
If the coach who is the most familiar with Johnson decided it was time to part ways, a coach with absolutely no inside knowledge may not be willing to sign him.
Fitzpatrick is a former fourth-round pick who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2021. Fitzpatrick is from Michigan but played collegiately at Louisville. He has not caught a pass in the NFL since his rookie season and he appeared in one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
Cornerback Shaun Wade, who was also signed to the practice squad, is a very intriguing addition to the Bolts. Wade was in the conversation to be drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft but a subpar senior season with injuries ultimately resulted in him falling to the fifth round.
Wade was drafted by Joe Hortiz's former team, the Baltimore Ravens, and was traded to the New England Patriots ahead of the 2021 season. Wade played in 14 games this past season for the Patriots with six starts.