The Los Angeles Chargers today activated safety Alohi Gilman from Reserve/Injured; Designated for Return. In addition, the team elevated wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick and safety Eddie Jackson from the practice squad for Sunday's game. The Bolts also downgraded linebacker Denzel Perryman to out for Sunday's game.
Gilman has started 33-of-67 career games with the Bolts over the last five seasons, totaling 214 tackles (141 solo), five interceptions, 18 passes defensed, three tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and four recoveries. A 2020 sixth-round selection (186th overall) of the Chargers, Gilman started 10 games and totaled 47 tackles (31 solo), an interception and a tackle for loss this season for the Bolts. Gilman had a career year last season flying around the defense for Los Angeles, setting career highs in starts (14), tackles (73), solo stops (49), interceptions (two), passes defensed (10), tackles for loss (two) and forced fumbles (three).
A team captain at Notre Dame in his second of two seasons for the Fighting Irish (2018-19, Gilman transferred to South Bend, Ind., from Navy, where he played during the 2016 season. For the Fighting Irish, Gilman started 26 games and recorded 169 tackles (91 solo), a six-yard sack, three interceptions, six forced fumbles and seven pass breakups. He earned honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference recognition at Navy, finishing second on the team with 76 tackles (50 solo), adding five passes defensed, a forced fumble and two recoveries.
Fitzpatrick, a fourth-round pick (109th overall) by Tennessee in the 2021 NFL Draft, has appeared in six games with the Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. He saw the most action of his career as a rookie, when he hauled in five passes for 49 yards (9.8 avg), including an 18-yard touchdown. Fitzpatrick played four seasons (2017-20) at Louisville after redshirting in 2016, finishing his Cardinals career ranked No. 9 in program history with 154 receptions. His 2,589 receiving yards ranked sixth in program history, while his 21 receiving touchdowns tied for No. 5 in school annals. Fitzpatrick totaled eight games with 100-plus receiving yards at Louisville.
Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowler, started 100 regular-season games with Chicago after being a fourth-round choice (112th overall) by the Bears in the 2017 NFL Draft. He started four-of-nine games played with Baltimore this season before signing to the Los Angeles practice squad, making his Chargers debut in the Week 17 victory over New England. Over his eight-year career, Jackson has totaled 486 tackles (371 solo), a pair of sacks, 10 forced fumbles, six recoveries, 45 passes defensed and 15 interceptions, including three he returned for touchdowns. He was an Associated Press first-team All-Pro selection in 2018 after setting a career high with six interceptions and leading the NFL with a pair of pick-sixes. That season, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November and NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 12. Jackson has made a postseason start for the Bears in 2020, registering six solo tackles.
Over four seasons at the University of Alabama (2013-16), Jackson was part of a Crimson Tide team that went 51-6, ultimately winning the College Football Playoff to cap a 2015 season that saw Alabama finish 14-1. That season, Jackson picked off six of his nine career interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns. He finished his Alabama career with 130 tackles (97 solo), a sack, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
