Brandon Staley on Corey Linsley: ‘He’s helping our team out in a new way’

Chargers’ center Corey Linsley has been on the injured reserve for about a month following the discovery of a non-emergent heart issue. While he’d technically be eligible to return to the team as he approaches the fourth week of his IR stint, Brandon Staley made it clear that Linsley won’t be back soon.

Brandon Staley on Corey Linsley: “He’s in a good place mentally, and he’s doing a heck of job helping our team out in a new way.”

— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 31, 2023

Will Clapp has played in relief of Linsley now for four games. The results have been a mixed bag. Clapp has graded lower on PFF’s individual Chargers’ grades in the last few games as the pressure numbers have increased. But clearly, there are not many players that could replicate Linsley’s Pro Bowl-level production in general at the position. Midseason line changes aren’t necessarily the easiest to navigate either.

While the full extent of Linsley’s heart condition is not known, it was evident from the beginning that his return was not imminent. JT Woods also remains on the teams’ NFI list with an illness but was seen at the team facility recently.

Unless LA opts for some free-agent signing or shifts the names on their offensive line around a bit, it does seem that Clapp is the center for the foreseeable future. Per Staley’s comments, hopefully, Linsley is still involved with the day-to-day for the rest of the offensive line room. His impact in that regard could prove valuable.