Derwin James holds in and other Day 1 Chargers Training Camp takeaways
2. Kyle Van Noy starts at LB
With former first-round draft pick Kenneth Murray starting out camp on the PUP list, the linebacker situation behind him was up in the air and up for grabs. It's still very early on in camp, but your two starting Chargers linebackers in Murray's absence are Kyle Van Noy and Drue Tranquill:
SJD, Tillery, and Fox
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) July 27, 2022
Bosa Mack
KVN/Tranquill
in base
Gilman S3 for now.
CBs as expected
Van Noy was brought in during free agency as a hybrid LB/EDGE defensive specialist type. Neither he nor Staley have put a title on his position. As of now, the belief should be that he'll play both spots. But with Murray likely absent the duration of training camp, the Chargers might see a more sizeable need for him at middle linebacker.
#Chargers HC Brandon Staley wouldn't put an exact time on the return of LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (ankle surgery). Said Murray should "be practicing at some point in the next four to six weeks.”
— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerLAT) July 27, 2022
Van Noy and Tranquill are clearly the most complete linebackers this team has even when accounting Murray. Both are relatively decisive tacklers and are good in coverage, areas Murray struggled in between injuries during the 2022 campaign.
The dynamics and inner workings of the linebacker room will be amongst the more interesting position groups to watch as the regular season approaches. Van Noy and Tranquill seem like a very solid duo on paper, but how much the Chargers have invested in Murray's success could change their fortunes.