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The tally of roster connections between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers can be counted on one hand.
Or, two fingers.
Only one former Patriot resides in Los Angeles’ 53-man fold ahead of next Sunday’s AFC divisional-round meeting at Gillette Stadium. Only one former Charger, meanwhile, resides in New England’s.
No others round out the familiarity on either injured reserve or practice squad.
But as the 1:05 p.m. ET kickoff between the No. 5 seed and the No. 2 seed draws near, let’s revisit the shortlist of players who have briefly been members of both sides.
Because why not?
LOS ANGELES
Cole Toner, guard – Toner was on hand for Willie McGinest’s induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame in the summer of 2015. The Harvard product would find himself back at One Patriot Place later on, as well. Toner, who crossed paths with Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, went on to have a short stint on New England’s practice squad in October 2017. But the tackle-slash-guard-slash-center was placed on the scout team’s injured list four days after signing, and was ultimately released by the Patriots with a settlement one week later. Toner then latched on with the Chargers’ practice squad and re-upped with a futures contract at the conclusion of last campaign. The former fifth-round draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals is now a part of Los Angeles’ active roster heading into Sunday’s trip to Foxborough, having appeared in one game this regular season. Toner was among the inactives for the Chargers’ 23-17 wild-card win over the Baltimore Ravens.
NEW ENGLAND
Lawrence Guy, defensive tackle – A circuitous NFL journey it has been for Guy, the final pick in the Green Bay Packers’ 2011 draft class. The 28-year-old defensive tackle by way of Arizona State has been part of an additional four teams since then, including one formerly known as San Diego. The Chargers claimed guy off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts in October 2013, and there he’d remain to record 16 tackles, one quarterback hit and three batted passes over 13 games in parts of two seasons. But much has changed since Guy was claimed off waivers by Baltimore in the midst of 2014. Now halfway through a four-year contract worth up to $20 million, Guy finished this past regular season graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 10th overall interior defender. That, despite not recording his first sack of the year until Week 17 versus the New York Jets. Guy has amassed 117 of the 245 tackles on his resume in a Patriots uniform. He posted a career-high 59 through 15 starts in 2018.