KENNETH MURRAY JR. NEWS

Kenneth Murray Jr. is in middle of Chargers' plan for dominant defense Kenneth Murray Jr. already set a Chargers rookie record for tackles in a season, and the new coaching staff believes he is getting better an...

AUGUST 25, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Kenneth Murray Jr. is in middle of Chargers' plan for dominant defense Kenneth Murray Jr. already set a Chargers rookie record for tackles in a season, and the new coaching staff believes he is getting better an...

AUGUST 25, 2021 • LATIMES.COM

Managing ankle issue Murray exited Sunday's practice due to an ankle injury, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact The Chargers held a scrimmage Sunday, but Murray went down within the first few plays after he made a tackle. However, coach Brandon Staley said after the practice that the 2020 first-rounder likely would have been able to return in a real game, so he should be considered day-to-day.

AUGUST 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

More tackle opportunities on tap Murray is expected to play more "downhill" in coach Brandon Staley's defensive scheme, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 2020 first-round pick registered 107 tackles and played in all 16 games during his rookie season, but it was almost viewed as a "down" campaign given the lofty expectations placed on Murray. Staley's new scheme is expected to feature the Oklahoma product heavily, asking Murray to blitz and attack the gaps far more frequently than last season, when Gus Bradley's defensive approach saw the rookie drop back in coverage far more than he was comfortable doing. That could translate to monster IDP numbers, particularly with backup linebacker Denzel Perryman now in Carolina.

JUNE 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kenneth Murray Jr. loves downhill battle in Chargers' new defensive scheme Second-year linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. thinks his skills fit better in Chargers' new defensive scheme, which encourages attack mode.

JUNE 2, 2021 • LATIMES.COM

Cleared to practice Murray (shoulder) has been cleared to practice, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Murray underwent shoulder surgery shortly after the conclusion of the 2020 season but has made a full recovery and has been participating in OTAs with the team. The second-year linebacker, who recorded 107 tackles including one sack over 16 games as a rookie, says he feels 100 percent.

JUNE 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes shoulder surgery Murray underwent successful surgery Tuesday to address a right shoulder injury, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Murray didn't appear on the Chargers' injury report at any point during his rookie season, so news of the surgery comes as a surprise. The first-round pick was productive while playing the full 16-game slate for Los Angeles, recording 107 tackles and a sack. The Chargers haven't provided a recovery timeline for Murray, but the expectation is that he'll be ready to go for training camp, if not OTAs.

JANUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Over 100 tackles in rookie debut Murray registered three tackles (one solo) in the Chargers' Week 17 win over the Chiefs. He recorded 107 tackles, three passes defended and one sack across 16 games.

Impact It's fair to say the Chargers likely expected more out of Murray after trading a second and third-round pick to move back into the first-round and select the Oklahoma product with the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but the 22-year-old did solidify one of the team's two inside linebacker spots, rarely needing to come off the field. Murray's trademark playmaking instincts should start to emerge with a full year under his belt, but he'll need to be more aggressive attacking the line of scrimmage to aid a defense that was largely disappointing against the run.

JANUARY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chargers Film Room: Rookie linebacker Kenneth Murray has turned a corner Murray's understanding of the Chargers' scheme and his role in it has grown in recent games.

JANUARY 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Eight stops on TNF Murray had eight tackles (six solo) during Thursday's 30-27 overtime win over the Raiders.

Impact The rookie first-round pick has had at least five tackles in five straight games, and he leads the Chargers with 95 total stops. Murray will get a few extra days of rest before facing the Broncos on Dec. 27.

DECEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Seven tackles Sunday Murray recorded seven tackles (four solo) across 56 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Falcons.

Impact Murray continues to have a stellar rookie season, leading the Chargers with 88 tackles (54 solo) on the year. The linebacker will now have to shift his focus quickly with Thursday's matchup against the Raiders looming.

DECEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Career game in blowout loss Murray recorded a career-high 14 tackles (12 solo), a sack and two tackles for loss in Sunday's 45-0 loss to New England.

Impact Murray's career-best outing was perhaps the only bright spot for the Chargers in what was otherwise a dreadful performance in all phases of the game. The rookie first-round pick set a new career high for tackles in a game while also picking up his first sack.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lynn remains as Chargers coach despite Sunday's 45-0 loss

Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, along with his players, are looking to quickly move on after a 45-0 loss to the New England Patriots

DECEMBER 7, 2020 • Associated Press

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray returns to starting role after brief benching Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said Kenneth Murray will remain the starting middle linebacker, despite being benched last week against the Las...

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • DAILYNEWS.COM

Benched in loss Murray recorded just four tackles in Sunday's loss to the Raiders before being benched for Denzel Perryman, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports

Impact Murray had become the team's defensive signal-caller playing 100 percent of the team's snaps in each of the last three games, but coach Anthony Lynn evidently didn't like what we saw Sunday, removing the 2020 first-round pick for "communication issues." Considering the draft capital invested in Murray this past offseason it's hard to imagine this benching is more than a one-week thing, but it's a disappointing setback regardless for the Oklahoma product after appearing to grow into the starting role over the course of the season.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kenneth Murray stonewalls Saints on physical third-and-1 stop Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray makes a third-down stop.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • NFL.COM

Continues to rack up tackles Murray recorded 10 tackles in the team's Week 4 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Murray tied for the team lead with 10 tackles, his second double-digit effort of his rookie season. He has yet to make much of an impact beyond that however, with only tackle for a loss and no sacks. Still, he's a stalwart in the middle of the Chargers' defense, logging a 97 percent snap rate in Week 4.

OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Leads team in tackles Murray posted 10 tackles (four solo) and a pass defended in the 23-20 overtime loss Sunday to the Chiefs.

Impact It's clear Murray has taken over the primary starting spot at inside linebacker, posting a second consecutive 60-plus-snap performance. As a result, the 2020 first-round pick now leads the team in tackles and should continue to be a quality source of production in IDP leagues given his consistent role.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs look to spoil Chargers inaugural game at SoFi Stadium

The Los Angeles Chargers' long wait for a shiny new home ends on Sunday when they play their first game in SoFi Stadium

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • Associated Press

Tallies eight tackles Murray tallied eight tackles in Week 1 against the Bengals.

Impact Murray finished second on the team in tackles in his NFL debut. He didn't add any explosive plays, but still proved he will be a key member of the defense throughout his rookie season as he was on the field for 91 percent of defensive snaps.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Linebacker Kenneth Murray ‘Poised’ and Ready for NFL Debut The Chargers first-round pick is set to start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • CHARGERS.COM

Kenneth Murray Jr., 'glossy' legs and all, is the Chargers' new man in the middle Drue Tranquill recently described new Chargers teammate Kenneth Murray Jr.'s legs as "glossy." It was most definitely a compliment.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • LATIMES.COM

Oklahoma's Kenneth Murray to start first ever NFL game for Los Angeles Chargers Many players have to wait months or even years to make their true starting debut in an NFL uniform. Kenneth Murray is not like most players....

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Set for starting MLB Murray is expected to be the starting middle linebacker entering 2020, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Murray's status as a 2020 first-round pick all but assured him of the role regardless, but a tremendous training camp has drawn a healthy amount of praise. Perhaps even more encouraging for IDP users, head coach Anthony Lynn and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley have suggested Murray will be a "three-down backer," which should provide plenty of tackle opportunities for the downhill thumper. With Denzel Perryman all but pushed aside from the starting lineup, it's entirely possible Murray could post 100-plus tackles if he stays healthy.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Spencer Rattler named starting QB for No. 5 Oklahoma

Spencer Rattler is the next man up in the Oklahoma quarterback factory

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • Associated Press