Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers players: who played for both

Who played for both the Colts and Chargers?

84 players were on both the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers rosters between 1960 and 2026, including Philip Rivers, Dwight Freeney, Jim Harbaugh and Johnny Unitas. 43 of them were with the Colts first and 38 with the Chargers first; 3 joined both in the same season.

Did you know?

  • Sherman Plunkett is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Colts first, then the Chargers from 1961.
  • Keenan Allen is the most recent: Chargers first, then the Colts from 2026.
  • Philip Rivers spent the most seasons across the two: 2 with the Colts and 16 with the Chargers.
  • 11 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Philip Rivers.
  • Most common positions on this list: DL (12), QB (9), WR (8), DB (8).

How many can you name?

Name players who were on both the Colts and the Chargers. The surname is enough. 0 / 84

All 84 players, most seasons first

Seasons on each roster (1960–2026). A gap of a season or more starts a new spell.
PlayerPosColtsChargers
Philip RiversQB2020, 20252004–2019
Dwight FreeneyDE2002–20122013–2014
Jim HarbaughQB1994–19971999–2000
Johnny UnitasQB1960–19721973
Keenan AllenWR20262013–2023, 2025
Carl MauckOL19691971–1974
Lawrence GuyDL2012–20132013–2014
Bob GaglianoQB19881991–1992
Bruce LairdDB1972–19811982–1983
Dave RoweDL19781974–1975
Mark HerrmannQB1983–1984, 1990–19921985–1987
Antonio CromartieCB20162006–2009
Aubrayo FranklinNT20132012
Charlie WhitehurstQB20152006–2009, 2012–2013
Chip BanksLB1989–19931987
Matt OvertonLS2012–20162021
Patrick RobinsonCB20162015
Shaun PhillipsOLB20142004–2012
Joe WashingtonRB1978–19801976–1977
John MackeyTE1963–19711972
Kyle NelsonLS20212012
Matt SlausonG20182016–2017
Roger CarrWR1974–19811983
T.Y. McGillDL2015–20162018–2019
Albert FontenotDL1997–19981999–2001
Blaise WinterDL19841986–1987, 1992–1994
Donald StricklandCB2003–20052010
Jahleel AddaeDB20212013–2018, 2020
Jeff BradyLB19991993
Lydell MitchellRB1972–19771978–1979
Marty DomresQB1972–19751969–1971
Bob SandersSS2004–20102011
Caraun ReidDL20172016
Chase McLaughlinK2019, 20222019
Donald BrownRB2009–20132014–2015
Dwight LoweryFS20152016
Jerry TilleryDL20262019–2022
Mike BadgleyK2021, 20252018–2020
Nyheim HinesRB2018–20222025
Pierre DesirDB2017–20192016
Sean SalisburyQB19871996
Sherman PlunkettOL19601961–1962
Aundra ThompsonWR19831981
Cedric FigaroLB19911988–1990
Dontrelle InmanWR2018–20192014–2017, 2019
Isaac RochellDL20212017–2020
Jeffrey LinkenbachT2010–20132015
Jordan TodmanRB20162011
Kavell ConnerILB2010–20132014–2015
Ricardo MathewsDE2010–20132014–2015
Skip McClendonDL1992–19931991
Brandon FacysonDB20222018–2020
Bryant SalterDB19761971–1973
Cassius VaughnCB2012–20132015
Corey LynchSS20132012
Ed LutherQB19861980–1984
Joel PattenOL1987–19881989–1990
Chris McCainOLB20182017
Dante HughesCB2007–20082009–2011
Lenny DunlapDB19711972–1974
Leonard ColemanDB1985–19871988–1989
Malik JeffersonLB20212020
Mike WoodK1981–19821979–1980
Nate JacquetWR19972000
Sam TeviOL20212017–2020
Gary JenningsWR20202026
Griff WhalenWR2013–20142016
Mark WalczakTE19871989, 1991
Mike HumistonLB1982, 19841987
Rodney CulverRB1992–19931994–1995
Van TuineiDL19981997
Bill ElkoDL19871983–1984
Chris GambolOL19881988
Drake NevisDT2011–20122013
Drew HaddadWR2001–20022005
Frank MiddletonRB1984–19851987
Gary GlickDB19611963
John AndrewsTE1973–19741972
Mitchell BensonDL1989–19901991
Roland MossTE19691970
Tyreek BurwellOL20172015–2016
Deon KingLB20162016
Joshua PerryLB20172016
Nate TriplettLB2010–20112011

From the nflverse roster files (CC BY 4.0), refreshed 2026-10-06. A season counts when the player was on the roster: from 2002 on, at least one regular-season or playoff week as active, injured reserve or inactive (practice squad alone does not count); 1960–2001 use the season rosters.Colts seasons include the Baltimore Colts (1960–83).Chargers seasons include the San Diego Chargers (1961–2016).

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More “played for both” lists

Indianapolis Colts and…

Lions 117Commanders 104Browns 102Dolphins 100Jets 97Titans 95Raiders 94Seahawks 94Patriots 93Saints 92

Los Angeles Chargers and…

Rams 110Titans 108Commanders 107Bills 106Dolphins 104Broncos 102Raiders 101Cardinals 100Chiefs 100Eagles 86

All team pairs

Questions

How many players have played for both the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers?

84 in the nflverse roster files from 1960 to 2026, including Philip Rivers, Dwight Freeney, Jim Harbaugh and Johnny Unitas. Players whose time with one of the teams was practice squad only, or before 1960, are not counted.

Who was the first player on this list to play for both?

Sherman Plunkett: Indianapolis Colts first, then the Los Angeles Chargers from 1961.

Who has played for both recently?

Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen, Jerry Tillery, Mike Badgley, Nyheim Hines and Gary Jennings, with a season on one of the two rosters in 2025 or 2026.

Does a player count if the team has moved or changed its name?

Yes. Seasons count for today's franchise, the way the league keeps team history. Colts seasons include the Baltimore Colts (1960–83). Chargers seasons include the San Diego Chargers (1961–2016).

Rosters from nflverse (CC BY 4.0). Team logos are trademarks of their respective teams (logos via TheSportsDB). Independent and not affiliated with the NFL or any team. Credits