Chargers cut longtime punter JK Scott in final roster trim

Longtime punter let go

The Los Angeles Chargers released punter JK Scott on Sunday as part of the moves that set their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season, according to NBC Sports. The move leaves the Chargers without a punter on the roster, though NBC Sports notes Scott could return if the team makes further roster moves — the club's plans at the position remain unclear for now. Scott had spent the last four seasons with the Chargers, dating back to 2022, according to a roundtable.io opinion piece.

Why the move happened

Per roundtable.io, the release followed persistent inconsistency. In Thursday's preseason finale, a 20-18 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Scott shanked another punt, finishing the game with three punts averaging 33.7 yards and a long of 48 yards. His 2025 season numbers looked reasonable on paper — a 47.8-yard gross average, a 41.4-yard net average and 23 punts downed inside the 20 — but the outlet says there were too many inconsistent kicks. Earlier in the preseason, an 83-yard punt-return touchdown was allowed against the San Francisco 49ers; head coach Jim Harbaugh said afterward that Scott needed a plan for making the tackle in that situation.

Other roster moves

Running back Jaret Patterson was also released, NBC Sports reports. Fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock and offensive lineman Branson Taylor were placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, while offensive tackle Isaiah World was moved to the reserve/non-football injury list. More than 30 other players were waived, including backup quarterback DJ Uiagalelei — a move Yahoo Sports says effectively settled the team's backup quarterback competition.

Ahead of Sunday's 6 p.m. ET roster deadline, the Chargers also traded defensive tackle TeRah Edwards to the Carolina Panthers for a 2028 sixth-round draft pick, a deal first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, according to Yahoo Sports/ClutchPoints.