Chargers waive 5 players, including 2 with NFL experience

The Los Angeles Chargers waived five players Monday, including two with injury designations, one day before the deadline to reduce their roster to the 85-player limit.

Defensive lineman Forrest Merrill, who made four tackles in four games as a rookie with the Chargers last season, and undrafted rookie free agent center Isaac Weaver were both waived with injury designations. If they clear waivers Tuesday, they will revert to the team’s reserve/injured list.

Receiver Maurice Ffrench, who returned one kickoff for 17 yards in three games for the Chargers last season, was cut, along with quarterback Brandon Peters and safety Skyler Thomas, both undrafted rookie free agents.

Ffrench and Thomas were the only players among the five to have appeared in Saturday’s preseason-openning 29-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Ffrench was targeted once in 32 plays on offense but the short pass from Chase Daniel in the second quarter fell incomplete. The former Pitt standout returned one punt for six yards, recovering his own fumble, in two special teams plays.

Thomas played four plays on defense, sacking quarterback Bryce Perkins with two minutes, 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter, forcing a punt. He also played two plays on special teams.

Monday’s transactions reduce the roster to 85 players.

NFL teams are allowed to begin training camp with 90 players. They are required to reduce their rosters to 85 players by Aug. 16, 80 by Aug. 23 and to the 53-player regular-season limit Aug. 30.

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