The Chargers are bringing back a familiar face in Caleb Murphy, adding the former New York Giants outside linebacker to their practice squad.
Murphy isn’t new to Los Angeles. He previously spent time with the Chargers earlier in his NFL career and now gets another shot with the organization after a winding journey through a few different teams. The 6-foot-3, 254-pound defender entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2023 before eventually landing in Los Angeles in 2024.
That first Chargers stint turned into real game action. Murphy spent time on the practice squad and later played in nine games, finishing with 14 tackles and half a sack.
After that, he moved on to the New England Patriots and then joined the Giants in December 2025. New York brought him back on a one-year deal this offseason, giving him another chance to carve out a role.
For a while, it looked like he might do exactly that. Murphy reportedly had a strong training camp with the Giants and made a case as a useful special teams player. That kind of versatility kept him in the mix, but he was ultimately let go during roster cutdowns.
Now the Chargers are taking another look.
This isn’t the kind of move meant to shake up the depth chart right away. It’s more about adding a player who can help in a pinch and bring value on special teams over the grind of a 17-game season.
That also fits the Chargers’ broader approach as they finalized their initial practice squad around the same time, looking to keep players around who could step into bigger roles if injuries or other roster moves open the door.
Murphy’s previous time in the building should help smooth the transition. He already knows the environment and has worked with some of the coaching staff before, so this is less of a reset and more of a return.
His special teams work may be the quickest way to game-day chances, but he also gives Los Angeles another developmental option on defense behind its primary pass rushers.
The Chargers aren’t asking Murphy to be a centerpiece. They’re asking him to be dependable, flexible and ready when the call comes.
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