Chargers sign Henderson

The San Diego Chargers may not be taking an offensive tackle in the NFL draft two weeks from now. The team came to terms on a one-year deal with offensive tackle Mario Henderson, a former Oakland Raider. Henderson had flirted with joining San Diego for almost two weeks; the Chargers finally got him to sign a contract after they set a deadline for Monday, April 16.

Henderson didn't play in the NFL last season after Oakland released him for showing up to training camp out of shape. To keep himself active, Henderson played for the Colorado Ice in the Indoor Football League.

The 6-7, 300-pound offensive tackle will turn 28 this October. The Raiders selected him in the third round of the 2007 draft. During his four seasons in Oakland, he started 28 games but obviously never proved to be worth the selection the Raiders invested in him.

By joining the Chargers at this time, one could assume he will be a backup to left tackle Jared Gaither and right tackle Jeromey Clary. While most Chargers fans hope San Diego general manager A.J. Smith will select an offensive tackle early in this month's draft to replace Clary, this signing of Henderson could very well mean Smith is satisfied with what he has at right tackle and will address other positions.