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Sports · Football (NFL) · published 2026-08-31 · via Sports Illustrated

Chargers' Undrafted Rookie Beats Out Harbaugh's Third-Round Pick for Final Linebacker Spot

Image via Sports Illustrated
Image via Sports Illustrated

Marlowe Wax, an undrafted free agent from Syracuse, outperformed Junior Colson, a 2024 third-round pick from Michigan, to secure the final linebacker spot on the Chargers' roster. Colson struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, while Wax excelled on special teams and made impact plays on defense. The decision reflects Harbaugh's 'competitors welcome' philosophy.

Expanded Detail

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Wax joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2025 after being passed over by NFL teams due to his size. He quickly carved out a role on special teams while Colson spent much of his second season recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his year. When Colson returned for the 2026 preseason, he showed improvement with a pick-six, but Wax's consistent impact on both special teams and limited defensive snaps—including sacks, tackles for loss, and pass breakups—proved decisive.

The Chargers' linebacker room already featured veterans Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Troy Dye, and Del'Shawn Phillips, leaving only one open spot.

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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This summary is AI-generated and original to Mobble; the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Undrafted Breakout Knocks Jim Harbaugh's Michigan Draft Bust off Chargers Final Roster.” Browse more stories.