The Chargers lost their fifth-round rookie, Otito Ogbonnia seven games into his rookie year in 2022. He suffered the same injury as now Chargers infamous signee, J.C. Jackson. With a ruptured left patellar tendon, Ogbonnia had a long recovery ahead of him and is just now getting back. On October 19th the former UCLA defensive tackle had his 21-day window activated, and this coming week will mark the third week of practice since being activated. That said, what is the young defensive tackle’s impact now that he is back from his scary injury?
Los Angeles Chargers Get a Young Key Role Player Back From Injury
Otito Ogbonnia Before The Injury
Otito Ogbonnia was drafted in the fifth round by the Chargers in 2022 and was relied upon to be a rotational defensive line weapon. Ogbonnia has the strength and size to play nose tackle, which he did for 62 of his 138 snaps. He also possesses the quickness and burst to be a good three technique, and was called upon to do so 57 times. During the stretch of his season, Ogbonnia recorded four pressures, four hurries, five stops, and 11 tackles.
Unfortunately for Ogbonnia, he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon and was immediately placed on injured reserve. He continued to rehab this painful injury throughout the entire offseason, and the Chargers even drafted his possible replacement, Scott Matlock in the sixth round. Playing in nearly the same amount of snaps as Otito did before the injury, Matlock has yet to put up the same production. He has not been impressive thus far, but for a sixth-round rotational rookie, he has not been a liability either.
Impact
Now that Otito Ogbonnia is coming back from his injury, he and Matlock will be fighting for snaps. Matlock gives more athletic ability and burst as he is nearly 25 pounds lighter, being more of a third-down three-technique. Ogbonnia on the other hand, is more of a nose tackle hybrid, playing more on run downs and doing so impressively. Ogbonnia will likely play more of a Nick Williams role, as Matlock has been more of a Sebastian Joseph-Day type of player- at least in alignment.
The Chargers would greatly benefit if Ogbonnia could bring some more interior pass rush. Outside of Morgan Fox, the Chargers’ interior defensive linemen have been just average, and change would be impactful. Ogbonnia can take some weight off the shoulders of the aforementioned Joseph-Day, Williams, and a guy like Austin Johnson. Keeping them rested will bring the group a fresher rotation, and better play overall.
Who Are Likely Cut Candidates to Make Room For Otito Ogbonnia
Chris Hinton
As we are only staying on the defensive side of the ball for cut candidates for Ogbonnia, Chris Hinton would make the most sense. The Chargers do not need seven interior defensive linemen and have cut Hinton earlier this season. Hinton was a very solid rotational defender for the Bolts in 2022 and had a strong preseason as well. Unfortunately, he is sixth on the depth chart and has yet to record a defensive snap.
Tanner Muse
The same story applies to the Chargers sixth linebacker Tanner Muse. Muse is a very good special teamer and has performed very well this season for the Chargers, but having six linebackers is a roster construction sin in today’s NFL. The Chargers already have good depth at linebacker, and the linebacker who seems to be the most likely to be cut is Muse.
The Chargers getting back Otito Ogbonnia will be very helpful for this Chargers defensive line to get some rest and a stronger rotation. However, other interior defenders like Matlock, Williams, and Hinton all lay in the way of Ogbonnia, especially since he is coming back from a very impactful lower-body injury. The Chargers will also need to cut someone, so with the good, there is bad.
Main Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
