As Chargers running back Michael Bennett
wrapped up his stellar preseason performance Friday night, he did so with a sense of accomplishment.
“I left it all out there,” Bennett said. “Now it’s out of my hands, but I want to be in San Diego.”
Bennett got his wish. He was not among the 22 players the Chargers moved Saturday afternoon as they trimmed their roster to 53 men.
The Chargers placed defensive end Ryon Bingham on “Reserve-Injured” and released 21 players Saturday, including veterans Kynan Forney, L.J. Shelton and Ian Scott. Shelton and Scott were both reserves, while Forney was released after losing a battle for the starting right guard position to rookie Louis Vasquez.
Three players made an NFL roster for the first time: guard Brandyn Dombrowski, safety C.J. Spillman and defensive end Ogemdi Nwagbuo.
Six of the team’s eight draft picks survived Saturday’s cuts. Cornerback Brandon Hughes was placed on “Reserve-Injured” earlier this week, and Demetrius Byrd who was placed on “Reserve-Non Football Injury” on Tuesday.
Other players who were released include linebacker Eric Bakhtiari, wide receiver Gary Banks, linebacker Darry Beckwith, cornerback Simeon Castille, tackle Corey Clark, defensive end Andre Coleman, tight end Charles Davis, guard Ray Feinga, defensive end Keith Grennan, linebacker James Holt, defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson, fullback Billy Latsko, wide receiver Charly Martin, center Ryan McDonald, running back Kestahn Moore, cornerback Antonio Smith, punter Truman Spencer and tight end Kory Sperry.
