Dealing with a hamstring injury, green dot linebacker Eric Kendricks is doubtful for Sunday’s game in Tennessee.
At his Friday media availability, head coach Brandon Staley was asked who would signal call for the defense in his place, and he responded Kenneth Murray.
Buy Chargers TicketsMurray has been the signal caller in certain spots during Staley’s tenure through injury to other players before. Before Staley arrived in Los Angeles, the former first-round pick was the green dot for Gus Bradley’s defense.
It’s not a surprise to see Murray step into this role, considering how closely he and Kendricks worked together during the offseason. That said, Murray did not have the best game against Miami last week. Pro Football Focus graded him as the worst player on the defense with a 29.4. Murray allowed an opposing passer rating of 114.2 last week and just one run stop.
The Chargers did have other options here, like safety Derwin James. But Staley believes Murray to be the more natural replacement for Kendricks.
Communication of run fits and gaps will be critical on Sunday as the Bolts square off against Derrick Henry. If there was a time for Murray to have a true breakout game in his Chargers tenure, Sunday feels like now or never for the former Oklahoma product.
Staley’s defense will look to limit Henry. In last year’s game, the former All-Pro running back had 104 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers.
