Joe Mays to Chargers: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

With injuries running rampant through their linebacking corps, the San Diego Chargers announced that they've agreed to terms with veteran Joe Mays on Tuesday.

ESPN's Adam Caplan (h/t Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune) first reported the move on Monday.

Starting linebacker Manti Te'o is nursing an ankle injury he picked up during Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, while his backup, rookie Denzel Perryman, suffered a bicep injury against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. 

That pair of injuries left the Chargers short at inside linebacker and looking for another option at the position. 

At 30 years old, Mays will be with his fifth team in the past four seasons. He signed with the New York Jets in April before being cut in September. 

San Diego does have Donald Butler and Kavell Conner to also see snaps at linebacker, but they, like Mays, have not experienced much success at the position while in the NFL. Rookie Nick Dzubnar has also been forced to see playing time and recorded his first tackle in Week 7.

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune broke down the Chargers' distribution of play to their linebackers this season: "Truth is, football players get hurt. And Chargers inside linebackers have taken numerous injuries. ... All five inside linebackers on the roster have worked with the defense this year. The leader in snaps is Donald Butler with 333. Te'o has 296 snaps, Perryman 65 and Kavell Conner 59."

Mays joins a defense that has allowed over 28 points per game this season, sixth worst in the league. Coming off of a 37-29 loss to the Oakland Raiders, the Chargers have plenty of room for improvement moving forward. They'll hope Mays can help hold things down while Te'o and Perryman recover. 

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.