Chargers pull off unexpected trade right at NFL final cuts deadline

The Los Angeles Chargers weren’t content to just trim the roster to 53 players by final cuts on Tuesday.

No, those Chargers also struck up a trade with the Houston Texans at the buzzer.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers acquired offensive tackle Austin Deculus from the Texans in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2027.

Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers were left desperate for help at offensive tackle after Rashawn Slater’s injury. Trey Pipkins went from swing backup at two spots to starting on the right side, so help was a must.

Los Angeles made rookie Branson Taylor part of their 53-man roster cuts while lining up the trade for Deculus, who has played lots of snaps at left tackle for the Texans this summer.

Clearly, the Chargers highly value what Deculus brings to the table, opting to cough up a draft pick to acquire him, rather than hoping he slips through the cracks of the waiver wire to them.

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