Former ASU running back Marion Grice released by San Diego Chargers

Sep 1, 2014, 3:58 PM | Updated: 9:41 pm

Marion Grice, a former Arizona State running back who went sixth-round in the 2014 NFL draft, survived Saturday’s deadline of final cuts as a member of the San Diego Chargers.

While it looked like ASU’s leading rusher from last season was gearing up to play in his first NFL regular season game, it looks like he’ll have to put those plans on hold.

On Monday, the 22-year-old running back was waived by the Chargers, who in turn added Ricardo Mathews for some defensive line help.

Grice had a team-high 79 yards rushing on 17 handoffs (4.6 yards per carry) in the team’s final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals and Chargers have had some close ties of late, including being scheduled to play each other two times in a row. On Sunday, Arizona was awarded a waiver claim on outside linebacker Thomas Keiser, who was released by San Diego a day earlier.

Grice, a Houston native, came out of junior college and racked up 1,675 yards on 294 attempts (5.7 yards per carry) with 25 touchdowns in his two-year Sun Devils career. He also caught 91 passes out of the backfield for 863 yards and 14 scores.

The Chargers open the season next Monday night against the Cardinals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy talks on the field before the Chargers play the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas throws during warmup before facing the San Diego Chargers in an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers gestures during warmup before facing the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws in front of quarterback Logan Thomas during warmup before facing the San Diego Chargers in an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Arizona Cardinals running back Stepfan Taylor looks up as he waits to make a catch while warming up before facing the San Diego Chargers in an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers talks with tight end Antonio Gates, left, during warmup before facing the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas (6) looks to throw while playing the San Diego Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona Cardinals kick returner Walt Powell, right, avoids San Diego Chargers' Branden Oliver on the kickoff return during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona Cardinals kick returner Walt Powell, right, avoids San Diego Chargers' Branden Oliver and Adrian Phillips on the kickoff return during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas throws a pass over San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu escapes from Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bryan McCann during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas gestures before beginning a play against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas, center, is sacked by San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Chas Alecxih, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

San Diego Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Desmond Bishop grabs the face mask of San Diego Chargers running back Marion Grice during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

San Diego Chargers kicker Nick Novak (9) kicks a 55-yard field goal while playing the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

San Diego Chargers kicker Nick Novak (9) is congratulated by teammate punter Mike Scifres after Novak hit a 55-yard field goal while playing the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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