Eric

Tomlinson

Mustipher bolsters the Chargers’ offensive line, having started 42 games in four combined seasons with the Ravens and Broncos. The Chargers also signed TE Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad while waiving CB Robert Kennedy.

Entering his eighth NFL season, Tomlinson somehow started 12 games for the Broncos in 2022, catching nine of 13 targets for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Mainly a blocking tight end, Tomlinson will join a Houston tight end room with Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan, among others.

Tomlinson was competing with Eric Saubert for backup duties in Denver. Both players are strong blockers, putting the two in direct competition for the team’s final roster spot at tight end. Saubert, who showed well in training camp, made the roster alongside Albert Okwuegbunam and Greg Dulcich. If Dulcich’s hamstring injury lingers into the regular season, Tomlinson could be brought back as a depth option.

Tomlinson only has two catches over the past three years but consistently picks up work as a blocker and special teams contributor. He appeared in all 17 games for the Ravens last year. Pro Football Focus graded him as the second-best run-blocking tight end in the league. Tomlinson won’t show up in many box scores for the Bronocs, but he gives them the experience and blocking skill that first-time starter Albert Okwuegbunam lacks.

Tomlinson was released by the Giants midway through the season but Baltimore quickly scooped him up to backfill their injured tight end room. He appeared in six games for them and earned two starts. The Ravens also waived/released CB Davontae Harris, OLB Aaron Adeoye, TE Eli Wolf, P Johnny Townsend, DB Jordan Richards, OL Andre Smith, WR Michael Dereus, QB Kenji Bahar, WR Devin Gray, WR Siaosi Mariner, OL Michael Schofield, FB/TE Ben Mason, WR Deon Cain, TE Tony Poljan, DT Justin Ellis, DB Nigel Warrior, DE Chris Smith, K Jake Verity, RB Nate McCrary, QB Trace McSorley, DB Anthony Levine Sr., OLB Pernell McPhee, OL Adrian Ealy, OL Foster Sarell, WR Jaylon Moore, WR Binjimen Victor, DT Aaron Crawford, DT Jovan Swann, and ILB Otaro Alaka.

Tomlinson appeared in six games (two starts) for the Ravens after Nick Boyle went down in Week 10. He adds depth going into the offseason. The journeyman tight end has played for five teams over the last two seasons.

No surprises here. S Jabrill Peppers is active.

Linebacker David Mayo (knee) and rookie S Xavier McKinney (foot) remain candidates for the injured reserve list. These transactions also leave the Giants with only Daniel Jones and Colt McCoy under center to start the year. Connelly’s release is the most surprising after the 2019 fifth-rounder had his promising rookie season cut short by a torn ACL.

Tomlinson spent last year with three different teams after getting cut from the Jets. He offers nothing in the pass game, but Tomlinson will give the Giants a blocking complement behind Evan Engram after Rhett Ellison retired.

Tomlinson went untendered as a restricted free agent, but he will return to the Jets on what is likely a minimum deal. Tomlinson should serve as the blocking complement to sophomore Chris Herndon.