The Chargers have signed an experienced cornerback Eli Appleaccording to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. According to Pelissero, Apple will start on the Chargers' practice squad after working out for the team earlier today.

The former first-rounder has become something of a veteran cornerback, playing for five different teams since the 2018 season. He most recently played for the Dolphins, appearing in ten games and making four starts in 2023.

Before that, Apple started 30 games for the Bengals in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but they let him walk in free agency, with a focus in recent offseasons on getting younger in their secondary. Despite entering the NFL in 2016, Apple is still 29 years old and heading to his sixth career team.

Jim Harbaugh coached against Apple in his first year at Michigan, with the Giants' eventual first-round pick being part of Ohio State's cornerback pipeline. The Giants traded Apple to the Saints during the 2018 season, and after he played out his rookie deal in New Orleans, it began a one-and-done for the Panthers.

The Chargers are dealing with a number of injuries in their secondary Asante Samuel Jr. And Yes, Sir Taylor both will miss Week 6 due to injury. With Samuel now on injured reserve, the Chargers needed to build reliable cornerback depth in case they suddenly needed a stopgap from their practice squad. Apple may never have lived up to his draft billing after being taken 10th overall in 2016, but he has 82 starts and nearly 100 career appearances under his belt, so he could quickly take over on defense and play in Week 7 if needed.

Former Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs also took part in the Chargers' practice. Jacobs started 12 games in Detroit last season but was not designated as an RFA this offseason.