The Los Angeles Chargers made a significant roster adjustment by releasing rookie EDGE rusher Nadame Tucker from their practice squad just days after he was signed. Tucker, a 26-year-old from Western Michigan, had previously led the FBS in sacks but went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, likely due to his age and perceived lack of elite traits.
Tucker joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent, partly due to his connection with defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, who coached him at Western Michigan. During training camp, Tucker reportedly displayed potential, especially as fellow competitor Kyle Kennard was sidelined by injury and Andre Carter II joined the team late in the camp cycle.
Despite his promising training camp, Tucker struggled to make an impact during the preseason, failing to showcase his skills as an EDGE defender. Consequently, he was released during the team's cutdown day but re-signed to the practice squad, where he was expected to provide valuable support in translating O'Leary's defensive scheme.
However, Tucker's time on the practice squad was short-lived. He was released in favor of Caleb Murphy, a player who had previously been with the Chargers and was well-regarded by fans for his preseason performance and special teams contributions. This decision highlighted the competitive nature of the Chargers' roster, where performance outweighs connections.
