Kyzir

White

White re-joins ex-DC Jonathan Gannon in the desert. He’s been a steady linebacker for the majority of his NFL career, only playing notably poorly in 2020 when he had a down year as a run defender. White is a needed boost to this unit as five of Arizona’s seven inside linebackers were free agents this offseason, and White likely projects as a starter.

White had a breakout 2021, registering 144 tackles, seven TFLs, and two interceptions while playing 84% of defensive snaps as an every-down starter. The Chargers played primarily out of their nickel package where White, a converted safety, excelled as an off-ball linebacker. White projects to start on the weak-side in Philly and should upgrade an Eagles defense that had just 16 takeaways last season.

Players being added this late in the week is always a concern, but there are no reports of the Chargers having a breakout. They remain on track to play against the Jets on Sunday.

White made three starts and was playing 73 percent of snaps before going down last year. He made his biggest impact in coverage, but the addition of Thomas Davis may cut into his third-down usage. With White healthy and a full season of Joey Bosa, the Chargers should remain one of the league’s top defenses.

White had been sidelined since his Week 3 knee scope. Getting placed on IR this late means he’s done for the year, but White should be fully healthy for the offseason. A fourth round pick, White was playing 73 percent of snaps before going down. He’ll return in a 2019 starting role.

This is no insignificant loss; White was playing 73% of the Chargers’ defensive snaps and shining in coverage. A highly athletic fourth-round pick out of West Virginia, White’s loss will be felt this week against white-hot Jared Cook.

White (6’2/218) spent two years as a Mountaineer after transferring from JUCO, managing four career tackles for loss with five pass breakups and three interceptions. PFF College credited White with a 54.2 passer rating when targeted and zero touchdowns allowed in 2017. The younger brother of Bears WR Kevin White, Kyzir is a plus run defender with experience covering tight ends and slot receivers and an imposing, tone-setter demeanor in the box. White lacks ideal long speed (4.69) but is a viable all-around athlete and has some poor man’s Keanu Neal to his game. The Chargers plan to use White in a Deone Bucannon-style sub-package linebacker role.