Hurst agreed to a deal with the Chargers on Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported Thursday that Hurst visited Los Angeles after being released by Carolina on Wednesday. The Chargers' pass-catching corps will look very different in 2024 after Keenan Allen (heel) was traded to the Bears on Thursday, Mike Williams (knee) was released Wednesday, and tight end Gerald Everett departed to the Bears on Tuesday. Hurst missed the final eight games of 2023 due to a concussion and recorded 18 catches on 32 targets for 184 yards and one touchdown.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Hayden Hurst news
Team
Los Angeles Chargers
Birthdate
8/24/1993 (30)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'4", 245 lbs
Draft Info
2018: Rd 1; Pk (BAL)
Birthplace
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Position
TE
College
South Carolina
Experience
7 seasons
Career History
Carolina Panthers
2023-2024
(1 season)
Cincinnati Bengals
2022-2023
(1 season)
Atlanta Falcons
2020-2022
(2 seasons)
Baltimore Ravens
2018-2020
(2 seasons)
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Hurst agreed to a deal with the Chargers on Friday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported Thursday that Hurst visited Los Angeles after being released by Carolina on Wednesday. The Chargers' pass-catching corps will look very different in 2024 after Keenan Allen (heel) was traded to the Bears on Thursday, Mike Williams (knee) was released Wednesday, and tight end Gerald Everett departed to the Bears on Tuesday. Hurst missed the final eight games of 2023 due to a concussion and recorded 18 catches on 32 targets for 184 yards and one touchdown.
Hurst is visiting Los Angeles on Thursday and intends to sign with the team, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. Hurst, who was recently release by Carolina, appears in line to link up with Justin Herbert and new head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers are in need of prove pass-catchers to join Keenan Allen after the release of Mike Williams (knee), and Hurst is a solid option at tight end with two 50-plus catch seasons under his belt.
The Panthers released Hurst on Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports. Hurst made it through just one season of a three-year, $21.75 million contract even though most of his 2024 salary is guaranteed. A concussion cost him the final eight games of 2023, with reports of post-traumatic amnesia perhaps bringing retirement in to the equation. Hurst should have some interest around the league if he wants to keep playing, though it'll be on a much smaller contract than what he signed last offseason. He cleared concussion protocol in January.
The Panthers plan to release Hurst (concussion) before March 16, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. Hurst's release will come just one season into the three-year, $21.75 million contract he inked with Carolina last offseason, due to the veteran tight end reportedly declining to take a pay cut. Across nine regular-season appearances in 2023, Hurst recorded a 18-184-1 receiving line before suffering a season-ending concussion, and post-traumatic amnesia, Week 10. Hurst said after the season that he'd been medically cleared, and as an experienced and proven veteran, he should get sizable attention on the open market as long as teams aren't concerned about his health.
Hurst hasn't practiced since being diagnosed with a concussion following a Week 10 game against the Bears on Thursday, Nov. 9. Considering it's been three weeks since suffering the injury, there's no telling when he may receive clearance to play again. With Tommy Tremble (hip) also banged up at the moment, the Panthers' healthy tight ends on the active roster are Ian Thomas and Stephen Sullivan.
Hurst missed the past two games and apparently is in danger of missing a third when the Panthers face the Buccaneers on Sunday. Tommy Tremble has taken on more snaps and routes at tight end in Hurst's absence, but Tremble came out of Sunday's loss to Tennessee with a groin injury of his own.
Hurst hasn't practiced since emerging with a concussion following the Panthers' loss at Chicago on Nov. 9. With just one more opportunity to mix into drills this week, he seems to be on the outside looking in to return to action Sunday at Tennessee. Hurst may be a candidate to be ruled out on the Panthers' final Week 12 injury report Friday.
Hurst was inactive for the first time this season when Carolina lost to Dallas this past Sunday. Another absence is possible for Sunday's matchup with Tennessee, potentially leaving Tommy Tremble in a larger role again as Carolina's top tight end after he played 76 percent of the offensive snaps against the Cowboys.
Hurst has missed both of Carolina's first two Week 11 practices while in concussions protocol and thus appears to be trending toward an absence Sunday against the Cowboys. If Hurst is sidelined this weekend, Tommy Tremble would have a clearer path to the No. 1 role at tight end after the two had been working in a timeshare in recent weeks.