The Chargers selected edge defender Uchenna Nwosu in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft with the hopes of him becoming the successor to Melvin Ingram. However, the amount of time that Nwosu has spent on the field says otherwise.
Nwosu has played in 12 games, four of which he started when Ingram was out with various injuries. But he’s only logged 320 snaps in that time. For perspective, that’s makes up 39% of the defensive snaps this season.
It’s puzzling because Nwosu has proven to be the team’s second best pass rusher behind Joey Bosa and he’s been a force against the run in his three stints. Nevertheless, Nwosu has seen Jerry Tillery and Isaac Rochell take the snaps that he should be having.
At Tuesday’s media availability, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was asked about Nwosu’s lack of playing time and he went on to say that he’s still banged up a little bit from a shoulder injury sustained against the Jets back in Week 11. Bradley also added that the team is still “learning about him.”
Nwosu logged 49% percent of the snaps when he returned in Week 13, but they were decreased by 19% this past weekend. The former USC product has also been experimented at linebacker in their base packages, even after proving that he’s at his best at the line of scrimmage.
If Los Angeles anticipates Nwosu being the starting LEO after this season, assuming Ingram leaves in free agency, it would be wise for the team to give him the starting role now while the veteran remains out for the rest of the season.
But here we are.
Like I’ve always said, play your best players. Nwosu has proven to be one, but the coaching staff seem to think otherwise.