The Chargers listed Los Angeles native Daiyan Henley as their starting left inside linebacker on the first depth chart published by the team on Jim Harbaugh was, but despite the excitement surrounding his progress, his psyche remains impassive.
“Making it to the NFL was the dream,” Henley said. “But now it’s what’s next, and I haven’t gotten to what’s next yet because there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Running alongside veteran Denzel Perryman in the first-team defense, the 2023 third-round draft pick continues to impress and aims to build trust with his coaches and teammates.
Henley’s speed and ability to cover ground earned praise from coaches and teammates. All-Pro Derwin James noted that Henley plays safety at linebacker.
Henley has shown a lot of energy on the field, where his patience sometimes has to overcome his desire to be physical, especially in coverage.
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“On my first day with pads, I felt like I still had something to prove,” Henley said.
He credits his development to former All-Pro NaVorro Bowman, a San Francisco 49ers legend whose game Henley seeks to emulate.
“We get to see him do the things we want to do,” Henley said of watching Bowman’s film. “That’s the best thing about having Coach Bo.”
Henley curbs his craving for physical contact, for example, when he lines up across from tight end Stone Smartt during “non-contact” team drills. That has him eager to unleash his physical style in the first preseason game Saturday at home against the Seattle Seahawks.
“I’m looking forward to the Seahawks tight end,” Henley said. “There is no collar; let me go.”
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The chargers Veteran receiver Joshua Palmer is expected to carry a big load this season, but the last two practices have been challenging for him as he has spent extra time with sidelined coaches.
Palmer made a splash Tuesday when he collided with Deane Leonard in the end zone. The wideout remained down for a moment before trainers helped him off the field as he flexed his right knee. He later returned to practice.
After making another big catch on Wednesday, Palmer groaned loudly and walked off the field, clearly bothered by his right leg. He walked along the sidelines and stretched with sneakers. He was absent from individual catches and full-team drills for the remainder of practice, carrying his helmet.
Ladd McConkey also spent another training session working with coaches sidelined due to an as-yet-undisclosed injury.
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NCAA punishes Harbaugh
Harbaugh is being disciplined by the NCAA for recruiting violations during his tenure as Michigan’s head coach.
The organization on Wednesday announced a four-year cause order stating that Harbaugh made impermissible contact with recruits and players during the COVID-19 pandemic. The penalty prohibits Harbaugh from college athletics until August 2028, only taking effect if he unexpectedly returns to college football within the next four years.
The NCAA stated: “Harbaugh engaged in unethical conduct and was uncooperative when he denied any involvement in impermissible recruiting contacts despite substantial information to the contrary.”
Harbaugh was not scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday.
This case is separate from the investigation of inadmissible allegations of scouting and sign theft during Michigan’s 2023 championship season, for which the Big Ten Conference suspended Harbaugh for three games.
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
