Chargers waiving WR Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice

The Los Angeles Chargers are waiving second-year wide receiver Brenden Rice, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Brenden Rice, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wideout Jerry Rice, is an option to return to the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers.

Rice, 23, was selected in the seventh round of last year’s NFL Draft out of USC. He appeared in three games last season for the Chargers, participating in three offensive snaps and 10 special teams plays. Rice, who transferred from Colorado to USC ahead of the 2022 season, was productive in his two seasons with the Trojans.

In 2023, he had 39 receptions for 611 yards and four touchdowns. He took on an even bigger role in 2023 catching passes from Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams — 45 catches, 791 yards, 12 touchdowns.

Rice was already facing an uphill battle to make Los Angeles’ 53-man roster. Then came the preseason, where he failed to stand out. Rice made three catches for 33 yards in the Chargers’ four preseason games. He has some competition to make the practice squad, with Jalen Reagor, Dalevon Campbell and others also under consideration.

Brenden Rice upstaged by Chargers rookie wideouts

Unfortunately for Rice, he was upstaged by this year’s crop of rookie wideouts, mainly Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The latter flashed early in the preseason. Harris came on strong against the Los Angeles Rams in the third preseason tilt, with six receptions for 85 yards.

“Tre’, some big catches showing the catch radius, the ability to catch it over the middle, catch and run, catch on the sideline. I thought he had a heck of a game,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Harris’ performance. “… He’s a very confident player. He’s the kind of guy that just keeps building and that’s what we’ve noticed throughout training camp.

“It’s great to see that hard work pay off. And it always does. Hard work always, always pays off.”