The Los Angeles Chargers today elevated cornerback Eli Apple and outside linebacker Caleb Murphy from the practice squad for Sunday's game.
Apple was elevated for each of the last two weeks, posting a pair of defensive tackles for the Bolts in Week 9. For his career, Apple has started 82-of-100 regular-season games and accumulated 380 tackles (312 solo), a half-sack, seven tackles for loss, six interceptions, 60 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.
Murphy made his Chargers debut in last week's victory over Tennessee, posting a defensive tackle. 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 a pair of 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.
