The Chargers just traded maybe the most versatile player in the building.

On Monday, a potential successor to the title was added.

Former Bears offensive lineman Michael Ola signed onto the practice squad. The 10-man group is now full. Ola is the type of athlete offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris covets, the type the Chargers lost Saturday when trading Jeremiah Sirles to the Vikings for a 2016 sixth-round pick.

Sirles played left guard, center, right guard and right tackle this preseason.


Ola, a more natural guard, started 12 games for Chicago last year at four different positions: left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle. D’Alessandris likes to see what any reserve lineman can do at center, so if Ola signs, it’ll probably only be a matter of time before the 6-foot-4, 312 pounder sees preliminary work there.

Ola, 27, went undrafted in 2011 out of Hampton.

He began his career in the Arena Football League with the Jacksonville Sharks before two seasons in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes. The Chargers were among the teams who worked him out after his career in Canada. He wound up spending most of the 2014 spring with the Dolphins and then caught on with the Bears, who released him Saturday as part of their final cutdown from 75 to 53 players.

The Chargers practice squad looks as follows, following the addition Ola and ex-Rams tight end Alex Bayer. Both arrived Sunday and had Monday morning physicals.


• QB Brad Sorensen

• WR Javontee Herndon

• RB Dreamius Smith

• TE Alex Bayer


• OL Michael Huey

• OL Michael Ola

• DL Damion Square

• OLB Ryan Mueller


• CB Greg Ducre

• S Adrian Phillips