Mike Williams did not practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday and the deep-threat wide receiver is uncertain to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night in the AFC Wild Card playoff game. The latest Mike Williams injury update could provide opportunity for Joshua Palmer and other Chargers receivers.
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“Obviously, [Mike is] such a productive player and a big part of what we do,” Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi told the Orange County Register. “We’ve had to battle it out without him for a few games this season. We’ll see where he’s at. Josh Palmer does a good job of stepping up when he’s been out. If Mike’s not going, the other guys will step up and we’ll do our best to make it work.”
Williams injured his back Sunday in the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos. He was carted to the locker room and needed help making it to the team bus after the game. An MRI revealed only a bruise, not a fracture or muscle injury, coach Brandon Staley said Monday.
“You will see him back at practice at some point this week,” Staley said then, and when asked if he expected Williams to play Saturday, added, “That was the indication given to me this morning.”
The Chargers are 2-point road favorites after opening at 2.5.
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Williams missed four games this season with an ankle injury but still led the Chargers with 895 receiving yards and 11 receptions of 20-plus yards.
When Williams was out (including two games also without Keenan Allen), WR Joshua Palmer averaged 5.8 receptions and 66.5 yards per game, compared to 4.1 catches and 41.9 yards when Williams was available. WR DeAndre Carter averaged 5.3 receptions and 63.3 yards in the first three games without Williams, compared to 2.1 catches and 24.9 yards in his 14 other games.
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According to ESPN, Williams, Allen and quarterback Justin Herbert were together for only 23% of offensive plays this season, and Williams and Allen were together for just four games start to finish (Weeks 14-17, all wins).
“If [Mike plays], I think we know how that picture looks,” Allen told the Register. “But if he [can’t], it’s going to be tougher, obviously. We’ll get double-teamed a lot more. You have to count on the other guys to make plays.”
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The Jaguars defeated the Chargers 38-10 at Los Angeles in Week 3. Palmer led the Chargers with 99 yards receiving on six catches. Williams had only one catch, but it was a 15-yard touchdown.
“They’re different; we’re different,” Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson told the Jaguars website this week. “That was a long time ago. There are some new faces on their side. There are some new faces on our side. You’re not going to trick anybody. It just comes down to execution, both sides, them and us.”
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