The Los Angeles Chargers released their final injury report before they take on the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday and it featured a new addition.
Starting linebacker Daiyan Henley missed practice on Friday and was officially listed as questionable with a calf injury he suffered this week. What makes this a big issue is that fellow starting linebacker, Denzel Perryman was ruled out for the game. This means they will be forced to rely on two backups. Rooking linebacker Junior Colson was put on the injured reserve list at the beginning of the month.
Chargers Linebacking Corps In Trouble With Henley Injured
Henley is by far the Chargers top tackler with 104 combined tackles — almost 40 more than the next best. He also has five tackles for loss, five passes defended, one sack, and a team-leading 38 stops. The second-year former 3rd rounder, leads all defenders, playing 91 percent of all defensive snaps in addition to 43 percent of all special teams snaps. He is also the Chargers top coverage backer, covering pass-catchers 368 times this season
The Chargers struggled to stop the Baltimore Ravens rushing attack without Perryman on the field — this will be his second consecutive game missed due to a groin injury. Now they will contend with the Falcons’ star running back Bijon Robinson. Robinson isn’t having an MVP-level season that Derrick Henry is but he is top ten with 783 rushing yards and he also has 359 yards receiving, fourth-most among running backs.
The Chargers will need to rely more heavily on Nick Niemann, Troy Dye, and Shaq Quarterback at the positions. Dye has played the most of the lot, playing just over 14 percent of the defensive snaps. Dye has seen an increase in playing time over the last four weeks, regardless of injury.
