LINSLEY ISN’T RETURNING TO OFFENSIVE LINE ANY TIME SOON
Chargers coach Brandon Staley on Wednesday all but ruled out the possibility of center Corey Linsley returning to the team to play again this season because of a non-emergent heart-related ailment that has sidelined him since their Oct. 1 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I don’t think so,” Staley said when asked if he foresaw Linsley playing again in the 2023 season.
Linsley, 32, is in his third season with the Chargers after seven standout seasons with the Packers. He has been with the team since playing his last game on Sept. 24 against the Vikings, attending home games and traveling with his teammates to road games, too.
He hasn’t spoken publicly about his ailment, however.
Will Clapp has replaced Linsley for each of the past nine games.
“Any time you lose a star player, you know, one of the top players or the top player at his position, it’s going to have an impact,” Staley said of playing without Linsley, a Pro Bowl selection in the 2021 season, his first with the Chargers. “But with that said, I think Will Clapp has been really, really solid for us. He has been one of our most consistent players on our whole team, definitely on our offense.
“I think Will has been fantastic for us. We miss Corey a lot, but he’s still with us. I think that that relationship with Will really helps, and (quarterback) Justin (Herbert) having confidence in Will and their relationship, really important. Will’s got a ton of experience. Since he’s played for us, he’s been really solid.”
Palmer practices
Wide receiver Joshua Palmer stretched with his Chargers teammates for the first time since he sprained his right knee during a victory over the Bears on Oct. 29. He wore a
brace on his knee for added protection, but otherwise he was dressed just like his teammates for practice.
The 21-day practice window for his return to the starting lineup from injured reserve opened on Wednesday. He couldn’t say when he would be sound enough to join Keenan Allen and the rest of the Chargers’ wide receivers, but rejoining them for practice was a positive first step in his return to the field.
“Feels good to be able to run around, being able to be around the guys and stuff, it feels really good,” Palmer said before stressing that there was no
timeline for his return other than the 21-day window. “We’ll find out (about playing again) when I’m on the field, that’s all I know right now.”
Palmer sat out a victory over the Jets followed by losses to the Lions, Packers and Ravens and then a win this past Sunday over the Patriots. It would be an understatement to say that the Chargers missed him as another top target for Herbert.
Compounding matters has been the absence of wide receiver Mike Williams because of a season-ending knee injury suffered during the victory over the Vikings. There hasn’t been much depth in the receiving corps beyond Allen with Palmer and Williams sidelined by knee injuries.
Palmer’s return would give Herbert and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore additional options beyond Allen, who is five receptions away from tying Austin Ekeler’s Chargers record for catches in a season
with 107. The Chargers scored only six points in beating the Patriots and 10 in losing to the Ravens.
“Good to get him out there,” Staley said of Palmer, who had 23 catches for 377 yards and one touchdown before he was injured while being tackled during the game against the Bears. “No timeline, but it’s just a good sign for him being out there and getting to practice a little (Wednesday).”
Scott honored
Punter JK Scott was named the AFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week after setting a Chargers record by landing seven punts inside the Patriots’ 20yard line on Sunday at soggy Gillette Stadium, including four inside the 10. He also handled two snaps cleanly for
Dicker’s two 38-yard field goals in a 6-0 victory.