Add The California Post on Google The Chargers signed a practice squad tight end Tuesday.
After losing tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar to injury, the Chargers added Hayden Rucci to the active roster from Jacksonville’s practice squad.
Rucci won’t be the primary tight end for the LA offense as the Chargers plan to utilize Oronde Gadsden II with Njoku and Kolar on injured reserve. The Chargers also have two tight ends on their practice squad, Evan Svoboda and Patrick Herbert (brother of quarterback Justin Herbert), and could elevate them.
Rucci has played four games in the NFL, recording only a tackle on special teams. The tight end was an undrafted free agent in 2024 and signed with the Dolphins.
He was quite the journeyman last season as he spent time with the Lions toward the end of the campaign and joined the 49ers in the offseason. Now, Rucci will get an opportunity with the struggling Chargers.
LA’s 0-2 start to the season has been the most disappointing beginning to a campaign in the Jim Harbaugh era. The Chargers opened the last two seasons 2-0.
Nothing has quite panned out for the team, including its free agent class as more than half of those players have been sidelined by injury (including Njoku and Kolar). Perhaps the most shocking discovery for the Chargers this year has been a lackluster offense despite new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
There are a lot of questions that need to be answered for LA, and Rucci’s addition doesn’t quite seem to be a needle-mover.
