The Los Angeles Chargers announced they signed the following eight players to Reserve/Future contracts on Monday:
DE Patrick Afriyie – The 6-2, 240-pound Afriyie spent the entire 2018 campaign on the team's practice squad following an impressive offseason. He initially turned heads as a non-roster participant during the team's rookie minicamp last May, and then continued to impress throughout training camp and the preseason, totaling six tackles, one tackle for loss and one QB hit. The Colgate product registered 152 tackles during his collegiate career while his 26.5 career sacks rank second in school history and seventh all-time in Patriot League history.
LB Tre'Von Johnson – Johnson split time between the active roster and practice squad after joining the Chargers in early October. He played in four games this season, totaling three tackles while playing predominately on special teams.
QB Cardale Jones – Jones spent the entire season on the practice squad after being on the Chargers' active roster in 2017. The former Ohio State star with a cannon arm appeared in four games last preseason, completing 13 of 25 attempts for 111 yards and one touchdown. He also carried the ball nine times for 56 yards.
P Ty Long – A 6-2, 205-pound product out of Alabama-Birmingham, Long spent the past two seasons playing for the BC Lions in the CFL where he served as the team's punter and kicker. He led the league with a 48.3 yards per punt average over that span, including a long of 75 yards. In addition, he connected on 82 of 93 field goal attempts (88.2 percent) with a career long of 52 yards.
WR Justice Liggins – The wide receiver spent the offseason with the Bolts before being waived during final roster reductions. However, he signed to the team's practice squad in early December. The 6-1, 209-pound wideout out of Stephen F. Austin St. caught 102 passes for 1,166 yards and eight touchdowns during his collegiate career.
TE Vince Mayle – Mayle spent most of the year on the Chargers' practice squad, inking a deal with the Bolts in late September. The 6-2, 247-pound tight end has appeared in 23 games over the past three seasons split between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens, including all 16 a year ago for the Ravens. He initially entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick (123rd overall) of the Cleveland Browns in 2015, but was waived during final roster reductions. He signed with the Cowboys days later, splitting time the rest of the year between the active roster and practice squad. Mayle took an unusual path to the NFL as he started out playing basketball at Shasta College before making the change to football. He played wide receiver at Sierra College before transferring to Washington State.
WR Andre Patton – The former Rutgers star has spent the past two seasons on the Chargers practice squad after impressing each offseason. The 6-2, 200-pound wide receiver played in 44 career games for the Scarlet Knights, totaling 90 catches for 1,164 yards and 10 TDs. Patton appeared in all four preseason games for the Bolts last summer, catching nine passes for 75 yards and one touchdown.
DB Arrion Springs – The undrafted free agent signed to the Chargers practice squad midway through the 2018 season after previously spending time on the Chiefs, Browns, Saints and Raiders' practice squads. The 5-10, 208-pound former Oregon Duck finished his college career amassing 137 total tackles, 44 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two sacks and two interceptions.
