Chargers News: Alarming Stat About LA All-Pro May Explain Team’s Struggles

As your Los Angeles Chargers have fallen to 2-4 and now possess just a 13% chance of making the playoffs, there are a lot of questions about what's gone wrong up until this point that has sparked such a disappointing season.

While, per usual, the Bolts are banged up, one particular long-term absence has stood out as more problematic than originally imaginable.

Chargers in games with Corey Linsley since 2021: 26.5 PPG

Chargers in games without Corey Linsley since 2021: 19.4 PPG

The offense just simply isn’t the same when he’s out. pic.twitter.com/KAeXjghWn0
— Tyler Weiss (@TylerMWeiss_) October 24, 2023

Former All-Pro center Corey Linsley, who has been out since September 30th with a "non-emergent heart-related issue," and currently sits on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list, has no timetable to return.

The ex-Green Bay Packer and Ohio State product has been one of the best offensive lineman in the league for the past few seasons, being named an All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and became the league's highest-paid center as a Bolt back in 2021.

Sans Linsley, the Chargers offense has been seven points worse, and it's visible when watching games how much pressure QB Justin Herbert is under. Center is one of the most important positions on the offense as they call out protections and read defenses, making the lost of a skilled veteran like Linsley that much more significant.

With no timetable to return, the Chargers will continue to rely on backup center Will Clapp, who, frankly, has been awful.

Bottom 5 Chargers PFF offense grades vs. Chiefs*:
1. LG Zion Johnson 45.8
2. C Will Clapp 54.1
3. TE Stone Smartt 56.6
4. RT Trey Pipkins 58.2
5. TE Donald Parham 58.4

*filtered to 10+ snaps
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) October 23, 2023

Bottom 5 Chargers PFF offense grades vs. Cowboys
1. RG Jamaree Salyer 46.4
2. WR Keelan Doss 48.0
3. C Will Clapp 48.2
4. WR Quentin Johnston 48.6
5. TE Tre' McKitty 50.1
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) October 17, 2023

The above stats tell the whole story, as in the Chargers two most recent games, Clapp has been one of the worst offensive players on the field, despite playing such an important position.

As one of the most pressured QBs in the league over the past couple of weeks, Justin Herbert has struggled tremendously, throwing an uncharacteristic number of interceptions alongside missing several open receivers.

The run game has also faltered without Linsley, as RB Austin Ekeler, who has shared the field with Linsley once this season (Week 1), has struggled to run in the A gaps with Clapp calling the shots.

In Week 1, Ekeler put up 117 yards on 16 carries (7.3 YPC), but has since been woeful, averaging less than 2 yards per carry for a total of 27 against Dallas, and 3.2 yards per carry for a total of 45 against Kansas City.

Without a run game to keep defenses honest, they can hone in on the pass, making life even harder for Justin Herbert and an offense without its second best receiver (Mike Williams) for the season.

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