It didn’t take long for the Chargers to fill Luis Castillo’s roster spot.
One day after releasing Castillo, the Chargers announced that they have signed veteran defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin. Franklin started nine games for the Saints last season and recorded 17 tackles but the team didn’t make much of an effort to bring him back once he became a free agent.
The move to San Diego brings Franklin back to a team running the 3-4, a scheme he was successful in during his four years as the 49ers’ starting nose tackle. He never looked totally comfortable in the 4-3 look that New Orleans ran last season, but Franklin did well enough in his previous role that the 49ers placed the franchise tag on him in 2010.
They have Antonio Garay and Cam Thomas at the position already, so Franklin isn’t assured of much more than a chance at a roster spot. If he’s able to recapture his old form, though, Franklin would help the Chargers’ quest to be a tougher team against the run this season.