The Chargers have re-signed Brown.

The Chargers let Brown go this past Saturday in order to add an offensive lineman for Week 4's game, but he was quickly brought back Monday to bolster the team's backfield depth in advance of next Monday night's contest against the Steelers.

Brown was released by the Chargers on Saturday, ESPN's Adam Caplan reports.

The Chargers would apparently like to re-sign Brown next week, but they needed an offensive lineman and Brown is not subject to waivers. Dreamius Smith is now the team's No. 4 running back.

Brown is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

For the second consecutive week, Brown will not be in uniform as the Chargers go with Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead, and Branden Oliver as their top three backs. With Brown offering no ability to contribute on special teams, he'll have a difficult time cracking the active lineup unless an injury occurs in the backfield.

Brown is inactive for Sunday's game against the Lions, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With Brown not in uniform Sunday, the Chargers will roll with a backfield comprised of Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver.

Brown did not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Cowboys due to a hip injury, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune

Brown is entering the second season of a three-year, $10.5 million contract, coming off an ugly debut campaign in San Diego. It's hard to see where he fits, as Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead are seemingly locked into their respective roles, and Branden Oliver looked much better than Brown last season. Despite his sizable contract, Brown will likely be buried on the depth chart or released. It's unclear when he's expected to return to practice.

Brown ended a disappointing first season in San Diego with 10 carries for 39 yards in a loss at Kansas City and finished the year with only 223 rushing yards.

Brown was expected to be part of a three-headed rushing attack alongside Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead, but even though both Mathews and Woodhead missed considerable amounts of time due to injuries, Brown never really asserted himself as anything more than a third down back. He had 204 receiving yards on 29 catches in that role, but all in all, this season has to be considered a disappointment for Brown.

Brown had four carries for 12 yards and one catch for four yards in Saturday's overtime win over the 49ers.

Brown got the short end of the stick in the Chargers' three-man Ryan Mathews replacement committee, finishing with fewer carries than both Brandon Oliver (13) and Ronnie Brown (seven). Regardless of whether Mathews plays in Week 17, Donald Brown can't be trusted in most leagues.

Brown had five carries for 18 yards and caught 4-of-6 targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 22-10 loss to the Broncos.

Brown saw more work than usual with Ryan Mathews (ankle) inactive, but Branden Oliver started and had seven more carries than the veteran RB. Oliver had been phased out a bit when Mathews returned from a knee injury a few weeks ago, while Brown was used primarily as a change-of-pace runner. Apparently, the Chargers like Oliver as more of a workhorse back when Mathews is out of the lineup. Therefore, it's hard to get excited about Brown in Week 16 at San Francisco, regardless of Mathews' injury status.

With Ryan Mathews out, the Chargers list Branden Oliver as their starting running back Sunday against the Broncos, but Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune suggests that "Brown will be plenty involved as well."

Mathews' absence should result in added touches for Brown on Sunday, though the potential for a time-share that tilts in Oliver's favor limits Brown's Week 15 fantasy utility to deeper formats.

Brown caught 5-of-6 targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 23-14 loss to the Patriots.

Working as the top back on passing downs, Brown got more looks than expected, as the New England secondary did a number on San Diego's receivers and tight ends. While the Chargers will likely go with a similar pass-heavy approach in Week 15 against Denver, Brown isn't a good bet to see six targets again.

Brown had one carry for seven yards and two receptions for two yards on Sunday against the Rams.

For the second week in a row since Ryan Mathews is back taking the bulk of the carries, Brown was pretty much an after thought. Mathews rushed 12 times, and Branden Oliver was second in line with six carries. This does not figure to change any time soon barring an injury.

Brown had one carry for zero yards and one reception on two targets for four yards on Sunday against the Raiders.

Brown was on the field for a total of 21 snaps, with 17 of those in passing plays. It would seem that Brown is the top choice for third down passing situations, though this apparently will not amount to many actual touches if this game is any indication. Branden Oliver remains the top choice for backup rushing duties, as his 13 carries were second only to Ryan Mathews who ran the ball 16 times in his return to action.

Brown returned from a concussion to rush four times for 23 yards and catch one pass on two targets for six receiving yards in Sunday's 37-0 loss at Miami.

Brandon Oliver got the start ahead of Brown, though neither did much in a game that the Dolphins absolutely dominated. Brown missed three games after suffering a concussion in Week 5 against the Jets, though he isn't likely to see a big uptick in work after the Week 10 bye, as Ryan Mathews is expected to return in Week 11 against the Raiders.

Brown (concussion) is active for Sunday's game at Miami.

It remains to be seen exactly how much Brown will play in his first game back since suffering the concussion in Week 5, but he is available and will likely share carries with Branden Oliver.

Brown (concussion) practiced fully again Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, the Chargers' official site reports.

Brown is thus poised to return to a San Diego backfield that will be without Ryan Mathews once again Sunday, though in his anticipated return, a likely outcome is that he works in a complementary role along with Branden Oliver this weekend, a scenario that make Brown a Week 9 dart for those in deeper formats.

Brown (concussion) practiced fully again Thursday, the Chargers' official site reports.

Brown is trending toward a probable designation this week, and with Ryan Mathews not likely to return to action Sunday against the Dolphins, Brown looks poised to rejoin the Chargers' backfield, though we suspect that in such a scenario he'd work in a complementary role behind Branden Oliver.

Brown was a full participant in practice Wednesday after clearing the NFL's concussion protocol, ESPN.com reports.

Brown thus appears on track to be available for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, which is more than can be said of Ryan Mathews, though in Brown's potential return, we suspect that he's likely to work in a complementary role behind Branden Oliver.

Brown (concussion) practiced Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Brown's status for Sunday's game against the Dolphins is still cloudy, but his return to practice Wednesday is clearly a step in the right direction for the running back, who last saw game action in Week 5. With Ryan Mathews iffy this week and the team on bye in Week 10, the Chargers may continue to feature Branden Oliver on Sunday, with an eye toward having an intact backfield on hand in Week 11.

Brown (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The same applies to fellow RB Ryan Mathews, with the stage set in Week 8 for Branden Oliver to once again head the Chargers' backfield.

Brown (concussion) is not practice Tuesday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Brown missed last weekend's game due to a concussion and since he still hasn't been cleared to practice, he seems doubtful to be ready for Thursday's game versus Denver. As a result, Branden Oliver will likely maintain his role as the Chargers' top running back.