The Chargers have agreed to terms with 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 on Monday, 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, Apple 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. Still 29 despite coming into the NFL in 2016, Apple is heading to his sixth career team.
Jim Harbaugh coached against Apple during his first year at Michigan, with the eventual Giants first-round pick part of Ohio State’s cornerback pipeline. The Giants traded Apple to the Saints during the 2018 season, and after he played out his rookie deal in New Orleans, a Panthers one-and-done commenced.
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 stopgap 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. Jacobs started 12 games in Detroit last season but was non-tendered as an RFA this offseason.
