Massive roster cut clears waivers, can re-sign with Chargers practice squad

Update: The Chargers have officially signed Michael Bandy to the practice squad.

One of the most disappointing decisions that the LA Chargers made while the team trimmed the roster down to 53 players was waiving Michael Bandy. Bandy was the biggest standout not only in the preseason games but also in practice as well.

Bandy also did well with the first-team offense, showing that he can add value to the team during the inter-squad practices against the Dallas Cowboys. But alas, since the Bolts wanted to keep three quarterbacks and four running backs, Bandy ultimately missed the cut.

With how good he looked in the preseason it was expected that Bandy would get claimed by a wide receiver-needy team on waivers. Many Chargers fans were already picturing the nightmare scenario of Bandy going to the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick turning him into the next unknown receiver turned household name.

However, that ultimately did not happen as the Chargers' wide-out cleared waivers, making him free to re-sign with the team on the practice squad.

This is a big deal for the Chargers as they now have a receiver they can trust to slot into the offense in case anything happens during the season. Injuries are inevitable in the NFL and with five receivers on the depth chart, just one injury can really jumble things around for the Bolts.

Bandy obviously is a step down from those that made the roster but having someone who is familiar with the offense, with Justin Herbert and has proven that he can play well in this offense is a big thing to have.

Michael Bandy is not alone; not a single Chargers player was claimed on waivers.

The LA Chargers did not lose a single player to waiver claims, meaning that the team is free to essentially construct the best-case version of the practice squad that it had in mind. The Bolts also didn't claim anyone from the waiver wire, although the Chargers are meeting with Sony Michel on Wednesday.

Christian Covington, who was released, not waived, is expected to come back as well. Covington is reportedly expected to come back on the practice squad and be a potential game-day activation for the Chargers.

This could have been simple roster manipulation by the Bolts. Covington can be elevated twice as a member of the practice squad before he has to be signed to the active roster. Perhaps the team is just buying time to get more depth in another area before ultimately bringing Covington back into the fold.

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Regardless, the fact that the team can essentially hand-select which players it wants to bring back on the practice squad and does not have to take any hits, like Bandy, is pretty huge. That is the best-case scenario to come from these roster cuts this week.