The Chargers are signing kicker Chase McLaughlin, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Kicker Michael Badgley has yet to play a regular-season game due to a groin injury that he sustained prior to the season opener.
Los Angeles has been resorting to punter Ty Long to do the kicking duties the past four weeks. Even though Long had his best game Sunday against the Dolphins, his foot got dinged up on a kickoff early on.
Pelissero said that Badgley is a couple weeks away from returning to game action, so the signing could indicate that the Chargers are going to roll with McLaughlin and let Long serve primarily as the punter.
McLaughlin is an undrafted rookie out of Illinois. He signed with the Bills and was waived at the end of August. He signed to the Vikings practice squad a day later and was then released on Sept. 10.
During his preseason stint with Buffalo, he made all three of his field goal attempts, including one from 54 yards, and was 5-of-5 on extra points.
During his collegiate career, McLaughlin was 79-of-79 on extra points. He was 4-of-6 on field goals beyond 50 yards during his senior season, which earned him Big Ten Kicker of the Year honors.
