He played every snap of the Chargers’ first three games before going out, the team struggling to run the ball and with overall offensive consistency throughout the season.
“Any time you have a star player — one of the top players at his position — [out], it’s going to have an impact,” said Staley, who then praised the play of Will Clapp, who has started the last nine games in Linsley’s place.
Slightly more than an hour earlier, the Chargers received a boost when wideout Joshua Palmer returned to the practice field. He has missed the last five games because of a knee sprain.
While on the non-football injury/illness list, Linsley has remained with the team, even traveling to some road games. Staley repeatedly has noted the veteran’s contributions in aiding his teammates.
The Chargers signed Linsley to a five-year deal worth up to $62.5 million — with $17 million fully guaranteed — in March 2021. He made the Pro Bowl in his first year with the team and was solid again in 2022.
Without Linsley for most of this season, the Chargers have been unable to sustain any sort of ground attack. They rank 25th in yards rushing per game and tied for 23rd in yards per carry.
The Chargers opened with 233 yards on the ground against Miami but they’ve reached 150 yards only twice since and Sunday at New England finished with a season-low 29 yards on 24 carries.
Asked specifically about the play of his offensive line, Staley called the group’s performance “inconsistent.”
“I think we’ve been good in spurts, and we’ve shown quality run and pass, but it’s been inconsistent,” he said. “But it’s a good group of guys. They’re working hard. I think that it’s fair to say that our best football is in front of us.”
Leading rusher Austin Ekeler had 117 yards against the Dolphins in the season opener but suffered a high-ankle sprain. He missed the next three weeks and hasn’t looked as explosive since returning.
Three months after his injury, Ekeler still appears to be walking with a slight limp as the Chargers continue searching for a running attack.
Staley suggested Wednesday that more competition in practice could lead to additional carries for the players behind Ekeler — Joshua Kelley and Isaiah Spiller. The Chargers have running backs Elijah Dotson and Jaret Patterson on their practice squad.
“Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening,” Staley said. “I think you’ve seen it on defense, competing for opportunities.”
The Chargers recently overhauled their secondary, making three significant changes based on practice competition. The group has performed better over the last two games.
