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Chargers Add Former Giants OLB Caleb Murphy To Practice Squad
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- Chargers Add Former Giants OLB Caleb Murphy To Practice Squad
(Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers are adding some familiar depth to their defense.
The Bolts are signing former New York Giants outside linebacker Caleb Murphy to their practice squad. Murphy is a familiar name in Los Angeles after previously spending time with the Chargers earlier in his NFL career.
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The six-foot-three, 254-pounder originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. The Ferris State product eventually made his way to Los Angeles in 2024, spending time on the Chargers' practice squad and later appearing in nine games for the team. He recorded 14 tackles and half a sack during that stint.
After his stint in LA, Murphy then spent time with the New England Patriots before landing with the Giants in December 2025. New York re-signed him to a one-year deal this offseason, giving him another opportunity to establish himself as a contributor.
That opportunity appeared to be going well during the summer, as Murphy reportedly put together a strong training camp with the Giants and established himself as a capable special teams player. That versatility ultimately made him an intriguing candidate to stick around New York, even though he was ultimately released during the team's roster cutdowns.
Now, he'll get another opportunity with the Chargers.
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For Los Angeles, this isn't necessarily a move designed to immediately solve a major problem. Instead, Murphy gives the team another player who can provide depth while potentially contributing on special teams.
That's exactly the type of player who can become valuable over the course of a long 17-game season.
The Chargers finalized their initial practice squad around the same time as Murphy's addition, with the team looking to stash players capable of stepping into larger roles if injuries or roster moves create openings.
Murphy's familiarity with the organization should also help him get up to speed quickly.
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He already knows the Chargers' building and has previous experience with some of the coaching staff. Rather than starting completely from scratch, Murphy is returning to a place where he has already spent time and established relationships. And while making the practice squad isn't the same as making the 53-man roster, Murphy now has another opportunity to prove he belongs.
His special teams ability could be the fastest path to game-day opportunities, while his experience on defense gives the Chargers another developmental option behind their primary pass rushers.
The Chargers don't necessarily need Murphy to become a star. They need him to be reliable, versatile and ready when his number is called.
