Chargers third-round rookie LB Junior Colson garnered some early buzz for his work with the starting offense in OTAs. But more recent workouts have found him working behind second-year LB Daiyan Henley ... and others. According to The Athletic's Daniel Popper, Colson has paired with Shane Lee as the third-team ILB duo at this week's minicamp. A minor injury in May OTAs might have pushed the rookie temporarily down the depth chart. But we'll have to see whether Colson can climb it through summer.
The Chargers list LB Eric Kendricks (hamstring) as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Titans. His expected absence will leave LB Kenneth Murray calling the defensive plays. The Chargers will also miss rookie LB Daiyan Henley (hamstring) for the second straight game. That leaves the replacement plan unclear. Some combo of Nick Niemann and Amen Ogbongbemiga will fill in. Murray is the only Chargers LB worth considering for IDP lineups. And even he shouldn't be a priority. Murray continued to play poorly in Week 1. If you play in a deep IDP league, Henley -- a third-round rookie -- might be worth stashing, on the chance he takes over a starting spot at some point this year.
Chargers LB Kenneth Murray has looked like a bust through three NFL seasons, after the team drafted him in Round 1 in 2020. The Chargers declined the fifth-year option on Murray's rookie contract this April. But new DC Derrick Ansley is hopeful. “This is really going to be the year, I think, he can break out,” Ansley told The Athletic's Daniel Popper. New LBs coach Jeff Howard also made a point of connecting with Murray early, and they've made a point to simplify Murray's duties within the scheme. The LB, meanwhile, is coming off his first full, healthy offseason since entering the pros. That can only help. And veteran LB Eric Kendricks has reportedly mentored Murray since arriving as a free-agent this offseason. Murray should be so far down IDP draft boards -- likely even going undrafted in many leagues -- that he carries only upside as a fantasy prospect. We've added him to our IDP rankings after initially leaning toward rookie Daiyan Henley as the likely starter next to Kendricks.
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