Chargers sign ex-Pro Bowl RB Dexter McCluster
SAN DIEGO -- Looking for a replacement for injured running back Danny Woodhead, the San Diego Chargershave found their man.
The Chargers announced on Tuesday they have signed former Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs running back Dexter McCluster.
McCluster makes sense for the Chargers because of his familiarity with the team's offensive scheme from his time with the Titans when San Diego offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt served as that team's head coach.
And like Woodhead, McCluster is a change-of-pace back who can be used in passing situations and in the return game.
The Chargers lost Woodhead for the season, placing the 31-year-old veteran on the injured reserve after he suffered an ACL injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.
McCluster will join a San Diego running backs group that includes Melvin Gordon, Kenneth Farrow, Andre Williams and fullback Derek Watt.
The Titans released McCluster, 28, before the season in the cut-down to the 53-man roster limit.
He signed a three-year contract with the Titans in 2014 following the best season of his career in 2013, when he was a Pro Bowl selection as a member of the Chiefs.
In 2013, McCluster led the NFL in punt return touchdowns (2), punt returns (58) and punt-return yardage (686).
In two seasons with the Titans he scored one rushing touchdown, gaining 378 yards on 95 carries. He also had two receiving touchdowns, catching 57 passes for 457 yards.
With the Chiefs he was used mainly as a slot receiver on offense and had 172 catches in four seasons with Kansas City. He scored six touchdowns on offense, five as a receiver and one as a running back.
