Chargers Sign QB With 2,700 Career Yards as Pressure Mounts on Justin Herbert

The Los Angeles Chargers are adding a veteran quarterback to their practice squad after an injury left the team short on depth at the position.

The signing gives the team another option at quarterback, though he must be added to the active roster before he can play.

Chargers add veteran quarterback to backup group

The Los Angeles Chargers have struggled to start the 2026 season, holding an 0–5 record after losing their first five games. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the team is signing quarterback Jake Browning to its practice squad.

"The Chargers are signing veteran QB Jake Browning, per source," Pelissero reported .

Browning entered the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings after playing college football at the University of Washington. He spent time on Minnesota's practice squad before joining the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021, where he remained through 2022 and earned a place on the 53-player roster in 2023.

Browning received his first extended starting opportunity that season after Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending injury. He started seven games, throwing for 1,868 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 71.5% of his passes. Across the full season, he finished with 1,936 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions, along with 127 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

His role changed in 2024, when he appeared in three games without attempting a pass. The following season, he played five games and started three for Cincinnati, completing 81 of 125 passes for 771 yards and six touchdowns while throwing eight interceptions.

Browning signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 13, 2026, but did not make their final roster after the preseason. He has appeared in 17 regular-season NFL games, including 10 starts, and recorded 2,707 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and a 68.5% completion rate.

Browning joins a quarterback room led by Justin Herbert . Before the signing, rookie D.J. Uiagalelei was the only other healthy quarterback on the active roster. Browning's time as a starter in Cincinnati adds another quarterback with NFL starts to the roster, although his practice squad status does not automatically make him eligible to play.

Trey Lance's placement on injured reserve left the Chargers with one healthy backup quarterback on the active roster. Browning must be added to the active roster before he can appear in a game.

Chargers' injury list includes several key starters

The Los Angeles Chargers have several players on injured reserve, including left tackle Rashawn Slater , offensive linemen Trevor Penning and Trey Pipkins, center Tyler Biadasz, and quarterback Trey Lance. Lance has a groin injury, Slater has an ankle injury, and Penning was placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion.

Wide receiver Quentin Johnston was ruled out against Denver with a chest injury. He had seven catches for 108 yards through the first four games of the season. Safety Derwin James also missed that game with a hamstring injury after recording 21 tackles, including 12 solo tackles, in his first three games. Cornerback Donte Jackson was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Offensive tackle Joe Alt missed the Denver game with a neck injury after starting the first three games of the season. Guard Kayode Awosika was also out with a fibula injury. These players' injuries have kept them out of action for varying periods.

The Chargers added quarterback Jake Browning to their practice squad after Trey Lance was placed on injured reserve. The Chargers will face the Kansas City Chiefs on October 18 at Arrowhead Stadium.