The first year under Jim Harbaugh for the Los Angeles Chargers has been a mixed bag from top to bottom. On one hand, the defense is outstanding, and the offense on the other has not. Even diving a little deeper shows the dichotomy that is the 2024 season. The run defense has been stifling. The pass rush? Well, they have the second-fewest pressures in the league.
This has proven true among their draft class, too. They have some players who are automatic starters since Week 1. First and second-rounders Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey have been some of the league’s best rookies. 5th draft picks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still have proven to be quality backups with several injuries to the secondary and 6th-round running back Kimani Vidal has flashed when called upon.
Harsh Criticism For Chargers LB Junior Colson
Others have yet to break through. Recapping the Chargers game against the Arizona Cardinals, NFL Daily hosts, Greg Rosenthal and Nick Shook harshly criticized rookie third-round pickup, Junior Colson.
“How about a nominee here for the ‘Worst Pursuit Angle of the Year?’ Shook starts the criticism with. “Chargers linebacker Junior Colson is a rookie from Michigan, a terrible pursuit angle, and got roasted on the broadcast. He was the last of defense on that touchdown run. Made it too easy for Kyler [Murray]”
The play they are referring to was a 44-yard touchdown scramble by Murray to start the fourth quarter that put the Cardinals up 14-9.
The broadcast announcers concurred with Shook’s assessment of Colson’s angle choice, which was aiming to catch Murray a few yards before the sticks. They suggested that he should have run to the pylon instead and that it was apparent that Colson must have forgotten who he was playing against, as the Cardinals’ QB is one of the league’s fastest.
Defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, was seen talking with Colson immediately after the play.
“Junior Coulson is unplayable..”Rosenthal added”..I’ve been watching Junior Colson week after week and they can’t play him. Daiyan Henley’s pretty good and Junior Coulson is killing me week after week.
In recent weeks, they have scaled back veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman’s playing time and increased Colson’s. This could be due to a shoulder injury sustained by Perryman in Week 6.
The Chargers next test will be on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Colson’s playing time will be something to watch in that game.
