Chargers Promising Young Defender Making Progress Amid Recovery From Knee Injury

Chargers NT is looking good after suffering a knee injury last season

The Los Angeles Chargers used their 160th pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft on UCLA nose tackle Otito Ogbonnia. Ogbonnia played seven games in his rookie season and was quite solid for the Bolts. However, in their week 10 loss against the San Fransisco 49ers, the Chargers suffered another loss. 

Otito was carted off in that early November game and missed the rest of the season due to a quad injury. The loss was impactful at the time as Joey Bosa and Austin Johnson were also down with injuries. 

We're now in April, and Ogbonnia's knee looks terrific as he's working out with his team in the offseason program. 

Otito Ogbonnia is on the field. Encouraging sign as he works his way back from a significant knee injury. pic.twitter.com/QcGe2SPpp1

— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) April 17, 2023

The 22-year-old nose tackle had a solid rookie campaign. In seven games, he started in one of those games, 13 solo tackles, one assist tackle, 14 total tackles, and one tackle for loss. 

Overall, this is fantastic news for the Bolts, and we're happy to see him progress. We're not sure what kind of a role he could play for the Chargers in 2023, but if he stays ready, he won't need to get ready.