Former Alabama Offensive Lineman Alex Leatherwood Released by Chargers

NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by 4 PM EST on Tuesday, August 27, resulting in tough decisions across the country. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Chargers announced that they are releasing Alex Leatherwood, a former first-round offensive lineman out of Alabama.

Leatherwood played for the Crimson Tide from 2017 to 2020. Over that span, he was a two-time First-Team All-SEC nominee and a two-time CFP national champion. He also won the Outland Trophy in 2020, which is rewarded to the best interior offensive lineman in the country.

Leatherwood was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played just one season with the Raiders before being waived. He's since played with the Bears and Browns before signing with the Chargers earlier this year.

It's been a challenging preseason for Leatherwood with the Chargers, particularly in pass protection. According to PFF, he finished with a dreadful pass-blocking grade of 40.8 in the preseason, surrendering 11 pressures on 76 pass-blocking snaps across three games.

Leatherwood hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2022 with the Bears, and it seems unlikely he'll find another opportunity to see real action.

Related: Kalen DeBoer Talks About Nerves Ahead Of First Game At Alabama