Canadians in the NFL: Five Canucks remain in L.A. after cutdown day

Los Angeles is nowhere close to Canada, but it represents the football home for more Canadians than any other NFL city — at least for now.

Five combined Canadians cracked the rosters of the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams on Tuesday as NFL teams got down to 53-man limits.

It's a big year for Canadians in the NFL after a record five Canucks were selected in this year's NFL Draft

But just because a player is on the roster today doesn't guarantee safety for opening day.

The next few days traditionally feature tons of roster shuffling as teams scan the waiver wire to see if there are better fits.

CFL teams also will be watching closely to see if any players are interested in making their way north of the border.

Here's a look at Canadians currently on 53-man rosters and those who have been released or waived this week.

LB Jesse Luketa (Arizona Cardinals, Ottawa): Penn State graduate played seven games for the Cardinals last year. Seventh-round pick by Arizona last year.

OL Matthew Bergeron (Atlanta Falcons, Victoriaville, Que.): Syracuse product was first Canadian selected in this year's NFL Draft (38th overall).

DL David Onyemata (Atlanta Falcons, Lagos, Nigeria): Onyemata, who came to Winnipeg as an 18-year-old to attend the University of Manitoba, signed a three-year, $35-million deal with the Falcons this off-season after spending seven years iwth the New Orleans Saints.

LB Tavius Robinson (Baltimore Ravens, Guelph, Ont.): Fourth-round pick of the Ravens this year after transferring to Ole Miss from Guelph.

RB Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers, Sherwood Park, Alta.): Former Oklahoma State star enters his third year with the Panthers. Has rushed for 1,078 yards and seven touchdowns for his career.

WR Chase Claypool (Chicago Bears, Abbotsford, B.C.): Bears acquired the Notre Dame product in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers last November. Numbers took a dip in his third year in the NFL.

RB Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals, London, Ont.): Fifth-round Bengals pick this year after finishing second in the NCAA in rushing last year at Illinois.

DL Neville Gallimore (Dallas Cowboys, Ottawa): Third-round pick in 2020 saw his role diminish last season. Has played 35 games with 14 starts.

WR John Metchie III (Houston Texans, Brampton, Ont.): Second-round pick in 2022 didn't play last year after being diagnosed with leukemia. His older brother, Royce Metchie, is a defensive back with the Toronto Argonauts.

OL Carter O'Donnell (Indianapolis Colts, Calgary): An undrafted free agent in 2020, O'Donnell has yet to dress for an NFL game. But he's back on the Colts roster.

DB Deane Leonard (Los Angeles Chargers, Calgary): As a rookie last year, seventh-round pick recovered a fumble on a punt in an overtime win against the Denver Broncos.

LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (Los Angeles Chargers, Lagos, Nigeria): Moved to Calgary with his family as a teenager. Has dressed for 32 games for the Chargers the past two years after signing as an undrafted free agent.

WR Josh Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers, Brampton, Ont.): Has 1,122 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in two years with the Chargers.

DL Michael Hoecht (Los Angeles Rams, Oakville, Ont.): An undrafted free agent in 2020, Hoecht won a Super Bowl with the Rams in the 2021 season. Had 4.5 sacks last year and made six starts.

OL Alaric Jackson (Los Angeles Rams, Windsor, Ont.): An undrafted free agent in 2021, Jackson made six starts last year.

DB Jevon Holland (Miami Dolphins, Coquitlam, B.C.): A second-round pick in 2021, Holland is a starter for a Dolphins team in a loaded AFC East.

OL Sidy Sow (New England Patriots, Granby, Que.): Fourth-round pick this year after six years at Eastern Michigan.

DL Nathan Shepherd (New Orleans Saints, Ajax, Ont.): Signed three-year, $15-million deal with the Saints this off-season after five years with the New York Jets.

S Sydney Brown (Philadelphia Eagles, London, Ont.): Twin brother of Chase, and his teammate at Illinois, was a third-round pick this year.

DB Benjamin St-Juste (Washington Commanders, Montreal): Became starter last year in his second season in the league. A third-round pick in 2021.

DB Tyrell Ford (Green Bay Packers, Niagara Falls, Ont.): Played for the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers last year before getting an NFL look. Twin brother of Edmonton Elks starting QB Tre Ford.

OL Dakoda Shepley (Indianapolis Colts, Windsor, Ont.): UBC grad has played 13 career NFL games with the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

DL Christian Covington (Detroit Lions, Vancouver): Signed with the Lions this season after spending last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Has dressed for 102 career NFL games, also spending time with the Houston Texans, Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals

QB Nathan Rourke (Jacksonville Jaguars, Victoria): Most outstanding Canadian in the CFL last year with the B.C. Lions, Rourke was stuck at No. 3 on Jaguars' depth chart throughout camp. If he clears waivers, he could end up back with the Jaguars on the practice squad.

WR Jared Wayne (Houston Texans, Peterborough, Ont.): Houston reporter Aaron Wilson says the Texans plan to add the undrafted rookie to the practice roster if he clears waivers. The Argonauts picked Wayne in the sixth round of the CFL draft.

CB Tevaughn Campbell (Jacksonville Jaguars, Toronto): Regina Rams product signed with Jacksonville midway through last season from the Las Vegas Raiders practice roster. The 30-year-old has played 35 career NFL games with the Los Angeles Chargers and Jaguars.

TE Nikola Kalinic (Los Angeles Rams, Toronto): York University grad played seven games with the Indianapolis Colts last year after starting his pro career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

LB Luiji Vilain (Minnesota Vikings, Toronto): Played three games for the Vikings last year as an undrafted free agent. An Argos draft pick in the CFL.

DT Eli Ankou (Buffalo Bills, Ottawa): Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News reports the Bills have offered the journeyman a spot on the practice roster. Has played 33 career NFL games for five teams and doesn't have to clear waivers.

DE Brent Urban (Baltimore Ravens, Mississauga, Ont.): Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports the Ravens will bring 10-year NFL vet back after some players are placed on IR.

DB Jonathan Sutherland (Seattle Seahawks, Ottawa): Rookie was waived with an injury designation (calf). Picked fifth overall in the CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes this year.