Chargers add LB Paddy Fisher, cut two from practice squad

On top of the exciting kicker news today, the Chargers also did some reshuffling of the practice squad.

On Tuesday evening, the team cut both offensive guard Nate Gilliam and wide receiver Austin Proehl from the practice squad. In a corresponding move, they signed former Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher.

The 6’3, 240-pound Fisher was a tackling machine for the Wildcats as he finished with four-year career there with 401 total tackles to go along with 24.5 for loss, 10 pass breakups, and four interceptions. Despite being a First-Team All-Big Ten linebacker, including winning the conference’s Linebacker of the Year honor, Fisher went undrafted following the 2021 draft. He was initially signed by the Panthers but would later be cut prior to the season.

Fisher was once looked at as a top draft pick whenever he was expected to leave school, but a horrendous showing in his pre-draft athletic testing looked to have been more detrimental than anyone expected.

With poor marks in the forty-yard dash (4.91), short shuttle (4.47), and broad jump (9’2”), it’s tough seeing how Fisher would be able to make an impact at the NFL level. His connection to Northwestern staff member Cody Cejda, Brandon Staley’s right-hand man, is likely a a big reason Fisher ended up in Los Angeles, as well.