SAN DIEGO -- Free agent quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan signed a one-year contract on Monday with the San Diego Chargers. He will line up on the depth chart behind Philip Rivers and Billy Volek.
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To make room for O'Sullivan on the roster, cornerback Brandon Hughes was released. The team also released center-guard Jeff Hansen and quarterback Jonathan Crompton from the practice squad. To replace them, the Chargers re-signed tackle Ryan Otterson and tight end Kory Sperry on Tuesday.
O'Sullivan spent 2009 with the Cincinnati Bengals, playing in three games.
O'Sullivan was a sixth-round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints in 2002. He has also been with Green Bay, Minnesota, New England, Carolina, Detroit and San Francisco. His most extensive playing time came with San Francisco in 2008, when he started eight of nine games played and threw for 1,678 yards, eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has played in 17 career games, starting eight.
Also Monday, outside linebacker Shawne Merriman wore a boot to protect his Achilles' tendon injury as he rehabbed on the side.
He said he will have to see how things go Wednesday before knowing if he'll be able to play in the season opener next Monday night at Kansas City.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
