The linebacker position was hit hard with injuries in the 2018 season, including rookie Kyzir White. White, who is still recovering from a regular-season knee injury, is progressing well, according to coach Anthony Lynn.
White, a converted safety out of West Virginia earned the starting weakside linebacker spot. But now he is expected to contend to play at all three linebacker positions in 2019, including the Mike role, which is played by Denzel Perryman.
“I think Kyzir can play any position you like at linebacker. He’s very young and talented. He’s on track to recover. He looked good the last time I saw him. (I’m) excited about getting him back next year,” Lynn said, per the Chargers official website.
If Perryman, an unrestricted free agent, doesn’t wind up returning to Los Angeles next season, then it creates a hole in the middle of the field. White, Jatavis Brown and Uchenna Nwosu would then be the expected starters, assuming that Kyle Emanuel is not brought back either.
In reality, it’s unlikely that they go with this approach in 2019. Instead, general manager Tom Telesco has said that they plan to prioritize the position this offseason. Whether it’s signing a veteran and drafting a player early on, or double dipping at the position come April, expect them to come with plenty of ammo.
Either way, the versatile linebacker White is expected to have an impact after a rookie season which saw him only record 17 tackles in three games before witnessing his rookie season coming to an end.
