The Los Angeles Chargers today activated defensive back Deane Leonard from Reserve/Injured; Designated for Return and signed cornerback Eli Apple to the active roster from the practice squad. In corresponding moves, the team waived safety AJ Finley and placed tight end Hayden Hurst on Reserve/Injured. The Bolts also elevated safety Tony Jefferson and outside linebacker Caleb Murphy from the practice squad for Monday's game.
Leonard, a seventh-round pick by the Chargers in the 2022 NFL Draft (236th overall), has appeared in 33 games and made three starts, including the postseason. He has recorded 21 tackles (16 solo), four passes defensed, a tackle for loss, two forced fumbles and a recovery on defense, while adding 16 special teams tackles. In two seasons at Mississippi, Leonard played in 19 games for the Rebels, totaling 64 tackles (38 solo), 11 passes defensed, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He transferred to Oxford, Miss., after three seasons at the University of Calgary (Canada). In 23 games for the Dinos, Leonard recorded 47 tackles (44 solo), two forced fumbles and six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. He also averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and scored a touchdown on a 60-yard return as a freshman.
Apple was elevated for each of the last three weeks, posting a pair of defensive tackles for the Bolts in Week 9 and breaking up a pass in Week 11. For his career, Apple has started 82-of-101 regular-season games and accumulated 380 tackles (312 solo), a half-sack, seven tackles for loss, six interceptions, 61 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and seven recoveries. He has also started 11 playoff games, including Super Bowl LVI and three Conference Championship games, totaling 56 tackles (46 solo), two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit and six passes defensed. He originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick (10th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
Apple played collegiately at Ohio State for three seasons (2012-14), winning the Inaugural 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship with the Buckeyes. A freshman All-American and second-team All-Big Ten selection, he played in 28 games (27 starts) and compiled 86 tackles (56 solo), an interception, nine passes defensed and a fumble recovery.
Jefferson has been a productive defender throughout his career, starting 67-of-114 career regular-season contests with the Cardinals, Ravens, 49ers, Giants and Chargers. He's totaled 468 tackles (351 solo), 9.5 sacks, 34 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 24 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and four recoveries. In his first season with Baltimore in 2017, Jefferson started all 16 contests, setting a career high with 2.5 sacks while adding 79 tackles and picking off a pass. A year later, he set a career high with six pass breakups in 14 starts. He has appeared in six career postseason contests, making four starts and recording 38 tackles (22 solo), three tackles for loss and a pair of passes defensed.
Over three seasons (2010-12) at the University of Oklahoma, Jefferson appeared in 40 games, totaling 258 tackles (180 solo), seven sacks, eight interceptions, 13 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a recovery. He burst onto the scene as a freshman, playing in 14 games while posting 65 tackles (44 solo), a pair of interceptions, a fumble recovery and breaking up seven passes, earning Freshman All-America recognition as well as Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.
Murphy appeared in each of Los Angeles' past two games, posting a tackle on defense and one on special teams. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Ferris State in 2023, signing with the Tennessee Titans. He played in five games for the Titans over the last two years, including a pair of games this season. Over his NFL career, Murphy has posted two solo tackles on defense and three special teams tackles. The Dowagiac, Mich., native was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2021 after posting 63 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss to help Ferris State win the NCAA Division II National Championship. One year later, Murphy set an NCAA single-season record with 25.5 sacks and tied an NCAA record with 39 tackles for loss, leading Ferris State to repeat as NCAA Division II National Champions.
