Chargers Place Rookie Linebacker Junior Colson On Non-Football Injury List

The Los Angeles Chargers were fortunate enough to draft Michigan linebacker Junior Colson with their third-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to Jim Harbaugh, Colson was linebacker coach NaVorro Bowman's highest-ranked linebacker in the class. The sky is the limit for the young defender; however, it looks like he may be grounded for the foreseeable future.

According to Aaron Wilson , Colson was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list. This does not appear related to his absence from part of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), as he was seen participating by the end of the multi-week period. What happens from here?

The NFI list is defined by the NFL as follows:

The Non-Football Injury or Illness list (NFI) is similar to the PUP list, but it is used for players who suffered injuries or ailments outside of NFL activities. Players who begin the season on NFI (as of cutdowns to 53-man rosters) can be activated after the team has played its first four regular season games.

The variety of potential issues, from minor to serious, makes guessing difficult. Last year, the Chargers had two players added to the Reserve/NFI list on the same day: Center Corey Linsley and safety JT Woods. Linsley did not play a game the rest of the season and retired from football last month. Woods, placed on the list in September, was not activated off the list until December. Chargers fans will have to be patient waiting for more information to be disclosed with training camp just a week away.