The Chargers signed tight end Hayden Rucci from the Jaguars’ practice squad on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim. Wide receiver Gary Jennings was waived in a corresponding move.
Rucci, 25, will add depth in the Chargers’ tight end room after Charlie Kolar and David Njoku were both placed on injured reserve. He has experience in Mike McDaniel’s offense after spending most of the last two years in Miami with brief stints in Detroit and San Francisco.
Originally an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin, Rucci did not play in any games for the Dolphins in 2024 but made four appearances last year. He logged 39 snaps on offense – mostly as a run blocker – and 42 on special teams.
The 6-foot-4, 253-pounder then signed in Jacksonville this offseason but was quickly pushed out of the roster picture by rookie draft picks Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol. In the preseason, Rucci caught just two of his four targets for 25 catches across 49 routes while logging a 63.1 run-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus.
Rucci will be just one part of the Chargers’ solution to their sudden injury crisis. McDaniel’s offense primarily uses tight ends as blockers, which is why Kolar and Njoku significantly out-snapped Oronde Gadsden in Week 1. He will be asked to step up in that regard, but Rucci’s experience in the scheme could place him in a significant role right away. McDaniel may also lean on veteran fullback Alec Ingold even more after using him on 40% of Los Angeles’ offensive snaps to start the year. Practice squad tight ends Patrick Herbert or Evan Svoboda will likely be in line for elevations to provide depth; a strong initial showing could lead to a promotion to the active roster.
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