"Adrian Cannon represents dead money for the Chargers.

The undrafted receiver out of Maryland was signed last July 28 and waived on Aug. 13. But he will be on the Chargers' books for another year.

His $500 signing bonus was paid immediately. But for salary cap purposes, it was prorated over three years. Since he was cut, the Chargers will absorb the final $334 of that in 2012.

That is but one of the quirks discovered when examining the Chargers' payroll — from Philip Rivers' $13.51 million cap number down to Cannon's $166 — for last season.

Most pertinent is the amount of money spent on players that suffered significant injuries. "