Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh Cuts 2024 National Champion Wolverine

Tuesday at 1 p.m. marked the deadline to cut rosters down to 53 players.

Los Angeles Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh put together their finishing touches to the active roster ahead of Opening Day against the Las Vegas Raiders inside SoFi Stadium on Sept. 8 at 1:05 p.m.

Los Angeles Chargers waive Cornelius Johnson

One of, if not the biggest names to not make the roster was wide receiver Cornelius Johnson.

Johnson, who was drafted by the Chargers in the seventh round from Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverine squad in April, was waived by the team as it cut down its roster to 53 players.

The 23-year-old Johnson recorded two targets against the Rams in the middle game of the preseason schedule. That came before he recorded three receptions for 34 yards on a co-team-high seven targets in the 26-19 victory in Dallas last weekend.

During Chargers camp, Johnson was finding his way hoping to find a roster spot as a back-end receiver to run block while making an impact on special teams.

Hortiz and Harbaugh decided to keep seven receivers on the roster; Quentin Johnson, Simi Fehoko, Brenden Rice, Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark, and Derius Davis.

The Los Angeles Chargers did keep its other two receivers that they drafted in April; McConkey and Rice. Rice and Johnson were both selected in the seventh round and McConkey was a second-round pick.

Rookie wide receivers Jaylen Johnson, Jaelen Gill, and Isaiah Wooden were also waived. Those three players went undrafted before being signed by the team.

Harbaugh recruited Cornelius Johnson out of high school in 2019 before winning the National Championship against the Washington Huskies in January. In it, Johnson caught three passes for 25 yards. Johnson led the Wolverines with nine receptions and 64 yards in the Big Ten Championship game.

During his time at Michigan under Harbaugh, Johnson caught 139 passes for 2,045 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson was an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in 2023 and a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree from 2020-23. He also caught the fourth-longest touchdown pass in Michigan history. It was an 87-yard touchdown against NIU in 2021.

As a graduate student in 2023, Johnson started in 14 games for Michigan as a wide receiver and contributed on special teams as well. He caught 47 passes for 604 yards and a touchdown.

More must-reads:

• Chargers Release New 53-Man Roster, See Who Made The Cut
• Chargers Reportedly Ready To Cut Former 1st Round Draft Pick