Jaguars: Chargers WR Mike Williams is out of the Wild Card Round
Without Mike Williams, the Chargers must beat the Jaguars.
The team announced Friday that Williams will continue to be in Los Angeles to receive further treatment for his back injury sustained in Week 18. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero later reported that further testing revealed a fracture in Williams’ back that will sideline him for multiple weeks.
It’s a poor look for Brandon Staley and the Chargers. Williams was hurt in a game that LA didn’t have anything to play for. The Chargers were already locked in at the five seed because of the Ravens’ loss earlier in day. Staley announced Monday that Williams would at least practice once with the expectation of playing Saturday. Staley claimed Thursday that Williams would not be able to practice after three consecutive DNPs by the receiver. Williams was out of the picture less than 24 hours after Staley made these comments.
Back injuries have a notoriously variable recovery timeline, so perhaps Staley was optimistic about Williams’ chances heading into a playoff game. But this is a pattern of behavior regarding inconsistent messaging from the Chargers’ head coach, and it will cost LA one of their most valuable players on offense.
LA will be without Williams and Josh Palmer, with 72 catches for 769 yards & 3 TDs this season, will take over from Keenan Alley.
The team also announced they elevated running back Larry Rountree III and defensive tackle David Moa from the practice squad for Saturday’s contest.