The Los Angeles Chargers activated the tight end today Hayden Hurst from reserve/injured; Intended for return. The team upgraded at cornerback Dicaprio Bootle and security Kendall Williamson from the practice group.

Hursta former first-round pick (25th overall) by Baltimore in the 2018 NFL Draft, has started 45 of 91 career games (including the postseason) with the Ravens, Falcons, Bengals, Panthers and Chargers. He has seven balls for 65 yards (9.3 average) in seven games played (two starts) for the Bolts this season. Over the course of his career, he recorded 202 receptions for 1,967 yards (9.7 average) and 15 touchdowns in the regular season, plus 194 yards and two touchdowns on 17 catches (11.4 average) in five playoff games. Hurst had the most productive season of his career with Atlanta in 2020, setting career highs with 56 receptions, 571 receiving yards and six touchdown grabs. He started 24 of 25 games played over the last two seasons, including the playoffs, and helped Cincinnati to an AFC Championship appearance in 2022 after recording at least 50 receptions in his second career season.

The Jacksonville, Florida native played three seasons (2015-17) at the University of South Carolina and caught 100 passes for 1,281 yards (12.8 average) and three touchdowns. Hurst was a team captain in each of his final two years with the Gamecocks and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference first team in his final season and was a semifinalist for the Mackey Award, which annually honors the best tight ends in college football. Before joining the South Carolina football team, Hurst was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and played two seasons in the Pirates’ farm system. He played football and baseball at Bolles School in Jacksonville and helped lead the Bulldogs to two state baseball titles, earning Rawlings second-team All-America honors in 2012.

Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Bootle spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers before joining the Chargers this season. He has started two of 21 career games for the Chiefs and Chargers, recording 19 tackles (16 solo), two pass breakups and nine special teams tackles. Bootle saw the most action of his career last season with the Panthers, appearing in eight games and making two starts, contributing 11 tackles (all solo) and two pass breakups for the Carolina defense.

Bootle played four seasons (2017-20) at Nebraska and saw action in 44 games. He recorded 110 tackles (70 solo), one interception and two forced fumbles for the Cornhuskers, starting the final 32 contests of his career. Bootle was a team captain in his final season in Lincoln, Neb. He was named third-team All-Big Ten in 2018 and was the team’s defensive back of the year in 2018 and 2019.

Originally a seventh-round selection (258th overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft, Williamson spent time with the Bears and Buffalo Bills before joining Los Angeles’ practice squad in October. He was called up for the Chargers’ Week 14 game in Kansas City but did not play. Williamson played four seasons (2018-22) at Stanford, earning Academic All-Pacific-12 honors each season and appearing in 43 career games. In total, he had 179 tackles (121 solo) for the Cardinal, along with one sack, one interception, 13 pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles.