The LA Chargers cut the roster down from 80 players down to 53 on Tuesday and for the most part, there really were not any huge surprises that we did not see coming. Instead, the bigger surprises came the next day with subsequent moves and practice squad additions.
First off, the team waived Larry Rountree and signed Sony Michel on Wednesday. This is a great move by the Chargers, who will likely keep Rountree around on the practice squad. Speaking of the practice squad, preseason standout Michael Bandy cleared waivers despite his strong showing and was signed to the team's practice squad as well.
All in all, the Chargers signed 14 players to the practice squad on Wednesday, leaving room for two more. One will be Rountree once he clears waivers (he will) with the 16th and final addition still being unclear. What makes this surprising is the fact that the Chargers easily could have used this final practice squad spot on a preseason standout that some thought would make the 53-man roster.
Jamal Davis was surprisingly left off of the Chargers practice squad.
Through out the whole TrainingCamp & PreSeason I put my heart & body on the line day in & day out. Earned the respect of my peers and I’m happy about that. I’m devastated about the outcome because it not only impacts me it impacts my family. It’s still a job.. I trust God. HeadUp
— J.D (@JamalDavisII) August 30, 2022
Jamal Davis really shined for the Chargers during training camp and in the preseason and with the lack of depth at EDGE, it is shocking that he was not among the initial wave of practice squad signings. This was someone who many theorized might make the roster as the EDGE4, especially if the team did not keep three quarterbacks or four running backs.
Los Angeles is only carrying three EDGE players on the roster with Kyle Van Noy also having the ability to fill in when needed when he is not playing MIKE. With the issues at the linebacker position, Van Noy will likely play a lot more MIKE than previously expected, leaving the Chargers with a three-man rotation of Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Chris Rumph.
Having a quality fourth edge rusher is not as important when you have two potential Pro Bowl edge rushers starters, but at least having that depth on the practice squad in case of injury is important. The team did bring back Carlo Kemp for EDGE depth but the exclusion of Davis is odd.
The only explanation that seems to make sense is that Davis could have an opportunity to get a roster spot elsewhere or the Chargers are eyeing another potential practice squad signing that they believe will have a bigger impact than Davis.
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But even that seems fishy as Davis would have been a better addition on the practice squad than some of the other players that did make it. For now, we just have to wait back and see what direction the team and Davis are going.