Setting the tone on the first play, he appeared to have wrapped up the win, as well, when he sacked Smith for an 11-yard loss on fourth-and-3 with 3:51 to play and the Chargers leading by the final score.
Los Angles gave the ball right back on a fumble, but the Chargers held strong for a turnover on downs.
“We’re lucky to have him,” L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert said of Henley. “He’s a true competitor, and we know how bad he’s feeling. But for him to show up and give us his best effort like that, he’s a true leader on this team.”
When the game came to a close, Henley had played all 65 defensive snaps for the Chargers, matched only by safeties Derwin James and Alohi Gilman.
He had his flu game and provided even more reason to believe he’s a potential All-Pro in the making. A 2023 NFL Draft third-round pick by the previous Chargers regime, Henley didn’t have a start as a rookie. That changed in 2024 with Harbaugh at the helm. Henley started all 17 games and racked up 147 tackles. He’s garnered plenty of hype and hope ahead of the current campaign, and so far has delivered, as have the Chargers with a 2-0 start.
This was one to remember for Henley, though.
There was a chance he wouldn’t play when the day began, and by night’s conclusion he had remedied all ills with a stellar performance.
“Daiyan Henley, we elevated another linebacker because we just didn’t know,” Harbaugh said. “Had a fever, but once he started playing, the medicine was out there. It was out there on the field and it was great to see him have the game that he had. He’s a rising star, you know, superstar. Just happy for him. Played incredible, as did just about everybody on our defense.”