The Denver Broncos said late Wednesday that their trade for Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley was off, leaving the leading tackler with the winless Chargers.

The teams reached the agreement shortly before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m., subject to a physical. Denver would have sent Los Angeles a 2027 fourth-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

Henley stays with the 0-8 Chargers, for whom the captain has started all eight games this season. Neither team gave a reason for the reversal.

“We have great respect for Daiyan as a player and person, and we wish him all the best moving forward,” the Broncos said in a statement on X.

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 12, 2026

Henley underwent a physical at the Broncos’ complex Wednesday, according to team sources cited by ESPN. NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk wrote that a failed physical would typically be the only reason to cancel a trade after the deadline.

It was not immediately known whether Henley failed the exam or what any medical finding might have been.

The Chargers listed Henley on their injury report with a shoulder injury the previous week, though he practiced and played Sunday against the Houston Texans. ProFootballTalk said he injured his shoulder against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8 and reported no indications of other health concerns.

Henley intercepted a pass against Houston, which beat the Chargers 44-22.

The Chargers welcomed him back on social media shortly after Denver’s announcement, posting “Welcome back, Daiyan.” About 30 hours earlier, the team had announced the trade with the words “Thank you, Daiyan.”

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 12, 2026

Veteran safety Tony Jefferson was among Chargers players who had expressed unhappiness about the trade on social media, the Los Angeles Times reported. After the deal collapsed, Jefferson posted, “Had to go get lil bro back to the bolt.” Henley posted his own response on X.

Denver, meanwhile, leads the AFC West at 7-2. The Broncos have won five straight and had sought inside linebacker depth for a defense ranked 23rd against the run.

Alex Singleton has played 617 of Denver’s 618 defensive snaps this season, more than any other NFL defensive player. Singleton and Justin Strnad have been Denver’s starting inside linebackers throughout the season and will continue in those roles.

Neither Broncos coach Sean Payton nor general manager George Paton commented publicly on the trade Tuesday or Wednesday.

Henley had been the Chargers’ sole player dealt at the deadline. His 51 tackles lead Los Angeles, and he topped the team in tackles in each of the previous two seasons, exceeding 100 both times.

The Chargers selected Henley in the third round in 2023. He has recorded 317 tackles and five sacks during his career with the team.

Henley, 26, turns 27 next week and is playing the final year of his rookie contract. He is due to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

Payton has given his players the week off during their bye. Denver will host the Las Vegas Raiders after the break.