Chargers to sign veteran DT Tyeler Davison

The 30-year-old joined Cleveland’s taxi squad last month. Davison played a career-low 12 games with the Falcons in 2021, but started 11 of them as he has remained a full-time starter for much of his NFL tenure.

The former fifth-rounder was released by the Falcons in March, ending his three-year stay in Atlanta. That was preceded by four years with the Saints. Overall, Davison has racked up 216 tackles and five sacks across his time in the NFC South. After the Cleveland signing failed to result in playing time, this Chargers deal is likely to work out differently.

Los Angeles waived Jerry Tillery after the former first-rounder struggled to meet expectations. He was nevertheless a prized commodity around the league, with eight teams putting in claims on him and the division-rival Raiders ultimately being awarded the Notre Dame product. That left a spot along the defensive interior for the Chargers to fill, but injuries have complicated their situation.

Veteran Christian Covington and rookie Otito Ogbonnia are expected to miss the remainder of the campaign. Davison should have at least a rotational role available to him, though he has plenty of experience logging a first-team workload as well.

Despite a number of offseason moves aimed at improving their defense, the Chargers have yet to take a step forward in the ground game in particular. The team ranks 30th in the NFL allowing an average of just under 147 rushing yards per game, a figure Davison will look to help improve when he makes his 2022 debut.