The San Diego Chargers agreed to terms with OT Chris Hairston on a two-year deal, bringing back a versatile member of the offensive line.
Hairston joined the Bolts in 2015 to provide depth, and was counted on throughout his first season in San Diego. He played every position but center in 2015, appearing in all 16 games with 11 starts. Nine of his starts came at left tackle while the other two were at left and right guard.
The 6-6, 330-pound veteran proved to be as tough as he is versatile. He played through a myriad of injuries to appear in every game, but none was more impressive than his performance against the Green Bay Packers. After suffering an ankle injury six days prior against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hairston defied the odds and started the following Sunday in Green Bay, playing a career-high 92 snaps as Philip Rivers set franchise records for attempts, completions and yards. His gritty performance caused an emotional Rivers to tear up after the game.
Hairston was initially a fourth round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2011. He is the 12th player the Chargers have added during the free agency period. The team also signed wide receiver Travis Benjamin (Cleveland Browns), nose tackle Brandon Mebane (Seattle Seahawks), free safety Dwight Lowery (Indianapolis Colts) and cornerback Casey Hayward (Green Bay Packers) and retained right tackle Joe Barksdale, tight end Antonio Gates, quarterback Kellen Clemens, defensive tackle Damion Square, wide receiver Dontrelle Inman and offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins.
