The Chargers are gearing up for the 2025 NFL season, which features a mix of new and returning faces within the organization. Several players are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 20 Most Important Chargers for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025, and hit on the biggest question facing them this year.

Next up at No. 19 is linebacker Junior Colson.

Background

Position: Linebacker

Age: 22

Experience: 2nd season

2025 cap hit: $1.369 million

2024 recap

Colson was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft out of the University of Michigan. An appendectomy impacted him during training camp, and a hamstring injury eventually landed him on the injured reserve list during the regular season. He played in just 11 games, making one start. Colson recorded 29 total tackles and one pass defended. 

2025 outlook

After injuries limited him and struggling to get into a rhythm, Colson enters his sophomore season with many believing he is capable of a breakout campaign. Colson’s situation is similar to Daiyan Henley, who also had limited action in his rookie year before becoming a key contributor in Year 2. Colson’s familiarity with Jesse Minter’s defense could help him thrive in 2025. It will just be a matter of whether he can stay healthy. If he does, he and Haiyan could be one of the better linebacker duos in the league.

Big question: Can Colson replicate Henley’s Year 1 to Year 2?

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 20 Most Important Chargers of 2025: No. 19 LB Junior Colson