LOS ANGELES — Alex Erickson, a 2011 Darlington graduate and former Wisconsin Badger WR, had an exciting weekend with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was signed to the active roster on Saturday, Dec. 2 and caught a fourth-quarter 23-yard first-down pass to secure the Bolts’ 6-0 victory over the Patriots in Week 13.

Erickson, an undrafted free agent, began his professional career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played five seasons with the Bengals, playing in every game, primarily as a returner. In the 2021 offseason, he signed a free agent deal with the Houston Texans, but was cut in training camp. He then signed with the Carolina Panthers and played in all 17 regular season games. In 2022, he signed as a practice squad player for the Washington Commanders, eventually seeing the field in two games. 

He signed a free-agent deal with the New York Jets this July, catching two TD passes in the final preseason game. However, Erickson did not make the final cut to the 53-man roster. In August, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Erickson to the practice squad. He has played in four games this season, including each of the past three.

Although Erickson had just one reception, it was arguably the most important of the game. Holding on to a narrow 6-point lead with just under two minutes left in the game, LA ran the ball to run out the clock and force the Patriots to use their remaining timeouts. Facing third-and-11, Erickson caught a 23-yard first-down pass from Justin Herbert to secure the win.

Following the match up, Chargers’ head coach Brandon Staley presented Erickson with one of two game balls, saying, “This guy has been big for us stepping up and sealed the game.” The other game ball went to Eric Kendricks for his 10 tackles and sack.

The Chargers are currently 5-7 and third in the AFC West. Los Angeles hosts the Denver Broncos at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 in Week 14.