The Chargers are scrambling at tight end, signing Hayden Rucci to their active roster after Charlie Kolar and David Njoku both hit injured reserve this week. This move leaves the Bolts’ tight end room with just two active players: Rucci and Oronde Gadsden II. Talk about a thin roster!
Meet The New Guy: Hayden Rucci’s Limited History
Who is Hayden Rucci, you ask? Well, he played his college ball at Wisconsin, putting up 17 career catches for 200 yards and one touchdown. He’s got the physical build, measuring in at 6’5 and 247 pounds at the NFL Combine. His Combine performance included a 5.04 second 40-yard dash, a 32-inch vertical, and a 4.40 short shuttle time. On the pro level, his experience is pretty limited. Rucci played only four career games, all with the Dolphins in 2025, totaling just 39 snaps. Most of those snaps, 29 specifically, came as a run blocker, where he posted an overall season run block grade of 56.6. It is not exactly a highlight reel, but in a pinch, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Injury Bug Bites Hard While Other Teams Make Moves
The Chargers’ tight end woes are deep. Charlie Kolar is set to undergo forearm surgery, with the hope he can return to action by the end of his injured reserve stint. With Kolar and Njoku out, it is clear Oronde Gadsden II is the big winner here, now being one of only two tight ends on the active roster. Talk about opportunity knocking! Around the rest of the league, we are already seeing some major shifts early in the season. Jaxson Dart could be out for the rest of the season with an MCL injury, which is brutal this early on. Panthers running back Jonathan Brooks is also sidelined, missing six weeks after yet another surgery. On the bright side, Austin Ekeler is reportedly working out for the Panthers this week. Could be a big pickup there if it works out. Plus, the 49ers just snagged veteran wideout Brandin Cooks, and honestly, can we just stop doubting Jalen Hurts already? The guy is for real.
The Chargers released their unofficial depth chart for Week Three, and you gotta wonder how they plan to utilize Rucci and Gadsden with such a depleted tight end group. It is early in the season, but these kinds of injuries and roster shifts can totally redefine a team’s trajectory. Keep an eye on how these teams adapt with their new lineups!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bolts from the Blue.
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