How One Linebacker is Leading the Bolts This Season
Daiyan Henley, a Los Angeles native, has steadily established himself as a key linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers this season. One of the team’s most intriguing young players, he brings a diverse skill set and noticeable upside. Selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he has quickly emerged a bright leader for the Bolts. Throughout his career, he has played multiple positions and led the Chargers in total tackles in 2024, showcasing both versatility and growth. Henley’s previous performance against the Raiders earlier this season gives fans optimism heading into Week 13, especially with the Chargers still in the wild-card hunt.
Player Statistics and Signature Moments
Henley currently has accumulated 72 total tackles, 39 solo and 33 assisted. He also has made three sacks, one interception, and three passes defended. He has started all 11 games for Los Angeles this season and added 4 tackles for loss and 4 quarterback hits to his stat sheet. More than just a cleanup tackler, Henley has proven to be a high-energy and disruptive defender. His first matchup against the Raiders was the best game of his young career, finishing with double-digit tackles, a sack, and an interception. Lines like that are rare for any linebacker and highlight just how dangerous he can be when playing fast and confidently. That performance also provides a clear blueprint for Week 13: defeat blocks quickly, read the quarterback’s eyes, and finish every play.
Teammates and Matchup Edge
Decorated veterans, like Khalil Mack, surround him and lead Henley to shine on the field. As an example, Henley can convert rushed throws and clumsy scrambles caused by Mack's persistent pressure off the edge into tackles, sacks, or takeaways. The Raiders, however, feature a standout linebacker of their own in Devin White, a proven leader and consistent tackler. White starred at LSU before being selected fifth overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, later winning a championship in Super Bowl LV. After five seasons in Tampa Bay, he signed with Las Vegas in March 2025 to become a key defensive anchor. White is one of only three players in the league with over 500 tackles and 20 sacks since 2019, underscoring his long-term productivity. Even so, Henley holds a slight advantage in terms of overall impact entering this matchup, thanks to his combination of production and splash plays, especially considering what he did to the Raiders back in Week Two.
Henley’s Lasting Impact
Henley has grown into a foundational piece of the Chargers’ defense as they approach Week 13. His instincts and burst have already helped him lead the team in multiple key categories, including total tackles and pressures. His breakout performance against the Raiders: 10 tackles, a sack, and an interception remains one of the defining moments of Los Angeles’ season. This critical AFC West showdown will test his ability to command the middle of the field in a must-win divisional battle. With only five games remaining and playoff hopes still alive, every snap matters, and Henley’s continued emergence could play a pivotal role in the Chargers’ postseason push.
