5 Takeaways: Jim Harbaugh & Joe Hortiz Break Down Chargers Early 53-Man Roster
4. Chargers bring back J.K. Scott
J.K. Scott’s absence from the Bolts 53-man roster was only temporary, as the punter was released Sunday but added back to the squad a day later.
Harbaugh on Monday said that was the plan all along.
“He was always on the 53. That was a roster machination. He’s our guy,” Harbaugh said.
Scott endured a tough preseason when he had a poor effort on a tackle attempt against the 49ers, which was followed up with a 20-yard punt against the Rams.
But Harbaugh and Hortiz both backed their guy on Monday, with the Chargers Head Coach saying his unselfishness was a “mighty man move” in order to help Perryman get to Injured Reserve (Designated to Return).
“Top 10 punter, we feel. Hang time, all of it, the proof’s in the pudding,” Harbaugh said. “It’s really cool, a player’s willingness to do that is what speaks volumes to me.
“That’s a team guy, that’s really going to save another guy,” Harbaugh added. “That’s really what it boils down to. It gives us the opportunity to have a 54th player.”
Hortiz added: “I’m not going to knock a guy on one game. Last year, top 10 punt average and he’s somewhere right in the middle with his net average. He can drive the ball, he hangs the ball, he limits the returns. I’m happy with J.K. Everyone has a bad rep, everyone does, there’s players out here, it just doesn’t get seen as much. So I’m happy with him, his ability as a punter and the person he is.”
Scott tied for 10th in 2025 with an average of 47.8 yards per punt.
5. Hortiz happy with UDFA trades
All in all, the Chargers feel they are in a better spot this year compared to last.
A lot of it has to do with the ample amount of depth Hortiz and his staff have been able to build since arriving two-plus ago.
Whether it’s free agency signings or building through the draft — the Bolts had 10 rookies on their initial 53-man roster — the team has built quite the foundation.
Harbaugh had high praise for Hortiz and the entire front office for continuously raising the bar of the team, as well as the coaches who all have a big hand in making everyone stronger.
“Joe Hortiz, the entire staff and personnel department … every guy is proven and great at what they do,” Harbaugh said. “They are bringing us guy after guy who are good, and the other thing is there are no distractions.
“Good people and good players,” Harbaugh added. “Then also really proud of the coaches for coaching guys up to be Game 1 ready or 53-man ready or 53-man ready on another squad because we can only keep 53.”
The depth can be seen in a couple of trades made prior to the initial 53-man roster being finalized.
The team traded cornerback Avery Smith to the Seahawks and defensive lineman TeRah Edwards to the Panthers in exchange for upcoming sixth-round picks.
The pair of players were previously undrafted free agents that signed to the team and flashed enough to get attention around the NFL.
“It’s identifying good players and getting them after the draft, certainly,” Hortiz said of the trades. “And it’s a credit to the coaches for developing them.
“I’d say it shows the organization’s ability to locate guys, find guys, and then once they get out here, develop them,” Hortiz added. “It’s a positive thing for sure.”
The depth is necessary yearly in a long season, and the team feels like it continues to get better each season.
“Just, wow … coaches and the personnel department do an incredible job,” Harbaugh said.