Who Should I Start? Stephen Anderson or Drew Sample

Thursday, November 16, 12:10 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers signed free-agent tight end Stephen Anderson to their practice squad and released defensive back Mark Webb Jr. from the practice squad in a corresponding move. The move comes as the Chargers look to add depth at the position heading into a Week 11 contest against the Green Bay Packers with both Gerald Everett (back) and Donald Parham Jr. (hip) banged up. Neither player was able to practice on Wednesday and they could both be in danger of sitting out this weekend. If one or both of Everett and Parham are limited or out against Green Bay, the Chargers would be forced to give Stone Smartt or Nick Vannett more playing time. Anderson has yet to play in a game in 2023. He has 63 catches for 715 yards and three touchdowns in six NFL seasons and spent 2019-21 with the Chargers.

Monday, March 11, 4:49 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed tight end Drew Sample to a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. Sample will receive $3.5 million in 2024. In his fifth year with the Bengals in 2023, Sample had 22 catches on 27 targets for 163 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in 17 games (10 starts). Tanner Hudson, Mitchell Wilcox and Irv Smith Jr. are all free agents, but one or more of them could be retained or the Bengals could add competition at the position through the NFL draft. The 27-year-old Sample has accumulated just 80 receptions (103 targets) for 621 yards and three touchdowns in his five years in the NFL with Cincy, so it would be unrealistic to expect the Bengals to utilize him as their unquestioned No. 1 pass-catching TE in 2024.