Chargers Sign Veteran Defender (Who Has Already Been Cut Twice This Season)

The Chargers announced a big roster move on Thursday just ahead of a divisional Week 18 showdown with the Raiders, signing former Steelers standout safety Terrell Edmunds to the practice squad.

Edmunds was released by the Steelers in November though spent time with the Jaguars this season as well. He turns 28 years old in early January and has been productive throughout his career, making him a logical dart throw for a team getting ready for the playoffs.

In a corresponding move, Los Angeles released fellow safety Emany Johnson from the practice squad after putting Elijah Molden on Injured Reserve earlier this week.

Chargers Sign Veteran S Terrell Edmunds Just Before Week 18

It's admittedly been a couple of years since Edmunds was a truly productive player as injuries zapped some of the effectiveness we saw early in his career. Originally a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Steelers, he quickly made a name for himself as a physical defensive back with strong chops in pass coverage.

The Chargers have rebuilt the team in Jim Harbaugh's image to great success, and Edmunds is a high-upside swing without any real risk.

His best year came in 2019 when Edmunds notched 105 tackles with three deflected passes, though he's struggled to reach those heights since. Even still, Edmunds ranks as Pro Football Focus' 34th-best safety out of 166 qualified players in 2024.

This is a roster built on excellent defense and a strong running game. Edmunds is a pending free agent and he now has the opportunity to earn a contract extension by impressing during practice. Should he perform well, expect Los Angeles to extend a training camp invitation at the very least.

Additionally, Edmunds provides insurance should the Chargers suffer a Week 18 injury or in the playoffs. He can step right in and contribute at a high level, making this an excellent decision by the front office and coaching staff.

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