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Chargers Cut Young Playmaker for Second Time This Month in Week 12

One Chargers playmaker has now been released twice by the Los Angeles Chargers only two weeks apart.

By Jason Schandl

Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Something Jim Harbaugh has to handle in the NFL that he didn't in college was regularly shuffling the makeup of his roster. This isn't his first time dealing with the situation, obviously, but it's been a while since he's needed to do it. And while he's doing a great job, there have been some decisions that might seem a little unconventional. And I'm only speculating here, but they may actually be sneakily savvy moves too.

The latest is his treatment of undrafted rookie tight end McCallan Castles. On the surface the moves seem ruthless, but they may really just be some expert-level roster management from Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz. Originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles after the draft, Castles was cut in August and remained unemployed until Harbaugh and the Chargers signed him to their practice squad in October.

Castles was then released from the practice squad on November 6, potentially ending his NFL dream. The rollercoaster continued when the Chargers added him back to the practice squad only three days later. But now things have taken another turn.

Wednesday evening brought news that Castles had once again been released from the practice squad. But there might be more to this move than appears on the surface.

Considering Castles was re-signed so quickly last time and doesn't have to clear waivers as a practice squad release, there may well be an agreement in place here that he will be re-signed quickly again.

The Chargers may just not want to miss out on Johnson, who was recently cut by the Dallas Cowboys. Perhaps someone will be elevated from the practice squad for Sunday that isn't in the long-term plans, who could then after the game be released and replaced with Castles.

We'll see how this works out. Maybe I'm wrong and Harbaugh and Hortiz have no deeper plans. Maybe this really is just a nightmare rollercoaster of emotion for Castles as he looks to make it in the NFL. It won't be long before we find out.

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