Familiar faces will meet again Sunday night at Gillette Stadium.
Between the active rosters, practice squads and reserve lists, five players in the fold for the NFL wild-card round have been both New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers during their careers.
From Jim Harbaugh’s sideline to Mike Vrabel’s sideline, here’s a glance through the list ahead of the 8 p.m. ET kickoff to the postseason.
JaQuae Jackson, wide receiver — The 25-year-old Jackson signed with the Chargers heading into training camp. He has resided on the practice squad since clearing waivers at the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline at the end of August. The Patriots marked the previous stop for the wideout. Undrafted by way of Rutgers and California University of Pennsylvania in 2024, Jackson landed in Foxborough that June after being let go by the Atlanta Falcons. He went on to reel in a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Milton III in his preseason debut. Yet after being carted off the following week with a non-contact leg injury, his rookie campaign drew to a close on injured reserve. Subsequently retained as as an exclusive-rights free agent, Jackson was among the organization’s cuts following the 2025 draft arrivals.
Kyle Peko, defensive tackle — The Chargers added Peko to the practice squad in October, and the veteran nose tackle remains there as the playoffs get underway in January. He had agreed to terms with the Patriots in August only to be released leading up to the preseason finale. The 32-year-old out of Cerritos College and Oregon State has appeared in 47 games, including 14 starts, since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2016. His odometer spans 58 tackles, two sacks, two batted passes and one forced fumble through a series of tours around the league. Peko logged 2021 and 2023 stints under a familiar Tennessee Titans coaching staff. He was also with the Las Vegas Raiders during Josh McDaniels’ stay and the Detroit Lions during Terrell Williams’ stay.
Hunter Henry, tight end — Henry totaled 60 receptions for a career-high 768 yards for the AFC East champions. The 31-year-old Patriots captain also led the team seven touchdown catches. He started every game on the way to the No. 2 seed. The reigning recipient of the Ron Burton Community Service Award was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, as well. Henry’s time in Foxborough has stretched 81 appearances in the regular season. Only Rob Gronkowski and Ben Coates stand ahead of him on the franchise’s all-time receptions list among tight ends. The Arkansas product has tallied 259 catches for 2,973 yards and 25 touchdowns since signing as an unrestricted free agent in 2021 and being extended in 2024. The AFC West was where things began for Henry. Taken in the second round of the 2016 draft at No. 35 overall, he earned All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers of America with the Chargers. From San Diego to Los Angeles, his tenure brought 196 catches for 2,322 yards and 22 touchdowns across 55 games.
Brenden Jaimes, center — Back on New England’s practice squad after a December week on the 53-man roster, Jaimes has served as a three-time standard elevation and appeared in four games altogether this campaign. The veteran interior lineman has seen 22 snaps on offense and 28 snaps on special teams since landing with the Patriots in September. Selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft at No. 159 overall, Jaimes stands 50 games and three starts into his time in the league. The Nebraska alum spent the duration of his rookie contract with the Chargers. From there, he was a member of the Titans from April through August before being released at the cutdown deadline.
Jaylinn Hawkins, safety — After joining the Patriots as a free agent in 2024, Hawkins was retained on another one-year deal last March. A full-time starting role followed for the journeyman safety. On the heels of the Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger departures, his breakout spanned 82 percent of the defensive snaps. Hawkins found himself the owner of four interceptions by the time the regular season reached the rearview. That tally marked a career best. It also marked a Patriots best. In 15 games, the 28-year-old also had a hand in 71 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery while manning centerfield alongside fellow California Golden Bear Craig Woodson. Entering the NFL in the fourth round of the 2020 class, Hawkins set out with the Falcons before being claimed off waivers during the final year of his rookie pact. The former core special-teamer went on to play in 10 contests for the Chargers, starting a trio, while recording 11 tackles and one pass deflection.