Daiyan Henley emerged as one of the leaders of the LA Chargers' defense in his sophomore season in 2024. After making the jump to a Pro Bowl-caliber player in his second season, many fans thought Henley could make the jump to being an All-Pro in 2025.
That, unfortunately, has not been the reality. Despite a strong start to the season, Henley has struggled in 2025 and is one of the main reasons why the defense as a whole has struggled.
It hasn't been pretty, and it's pretty hard to understand why this is happening. Henley seemingly took that step to pencil himself in as one of the best young linebackers in the sport. Instead, Chargers fans are now left wondering if he will ever find his sophomore form again.
Daiyan Henley's fall from grace was on full display in Chargers-Colts
Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts was arguably the worst performance of what has been a disappointing season for Henley thus far. The Colts did everything they wanted on offense led by a Jonathan Taylor rushing attack the Chargers simply could not slow down.
Henley play in the run game was a primary reason why. As the focal middle linebacker of the defense, Henley plays an imperative role in stopping running backs from getting to the next level. He has struggled immensely in doing that, not just on Sunday, but the entire season.
It's bewildering to see Henley finish with only two tackles in a game where the Colts ran the ball down the Chargers' throat. The Chargers needed Henley to play downhill and attack the football. He didn't do that at all.
One possible explanation is the flu Henley dealt with early in the season after the team's trip to Brazil. Henley didn't miss a game but he reportedly lost nearly 20 points while sick. While he is healthy now, that absolutely can have lingering effects on a player, especially in a hard-hitting sport like football.
Just look at Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts, who suffered a similar illness during the Dodgers' trip to Japan to start the season. Mookie lost a ton of weight and wasn't himself until August.
But Mookie struggled the entire time after the illness. Henley didn't. His game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 may have been the best of his entire career. That game turned the All-Pro expectations from a pipe dream into a reality.
It's been nothing but downhill since and the Chargers desperately need Henley to figure it out. Whether it's his own fault or the scheme doesn't matter. This Chargers defense is never going to be successful if Henley keeps playing the way he is playing through seven weeks.