The Chargers have signed veteran cornerback Eli Apple, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Apple will start on the Chargers’ practice squad after working out for the team earlier today, according to Pelissero. The former first-rounder has become somewhat of a journeyman cornerback, playing for five different teams since the 2018 season. He last played for the Dolphins, appearing in 10 games and making four starts in 2023. Before that, he started 30 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons for the Bengals, but they let him walk in free agency with a focus on getting younger in their secondary over the last few offseasons.
The Chargers are dealing with a number of injuries in their secondary, with Asante Samuel Jr. and Ja’Sir Taylor both missing Week 6 with injuries. With Samuel now on injured reserve, the Chargers needed to add reliable cornerback depth in case they suddenly needed a stop-gap solution from their practice squad. Apple may never have lived up to his draft billing after going 10th overall in 2016, but he has 82 starts and almost 100 career appearances under his belt, so he could quickly pick up the defense and play in Week 7 if necessary.
Former Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs also participated in the Chargers’ workout after starting 12 games in Detroit last season.
More to come.