Mike Williams is traveling with the Los Angeles Chargers for their AFC Wild Card playoff game at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, and coach Brandon Staley said Thursday, “If he can play, I know he will.” The latest Mike Williams injury update could determine the possible opportunity for Joshua Palmer and other Chargers receivers.
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Williams did not practice this week after the wide receiver injured his back Sunday in the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos.
“We’re at that point of the season where the reps aren’t what matters, the rest is,” Staley said Tuesday.
The coach said the plan is for Williams to work out before the game and then make a determination on his status. He is listed as questionable on the official injury report.
“We have a long time between now and the evening on Saturday (8:15 p.m. kickoff),” Staley said. “Just trying to maximize all that rest time for him and get him all the treatment necessary.”
The Chargers are 2.5-point road favorites, which was the opening line.
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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), 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). According to CBS Sports, Herbert has a worse completion percentage (77%-66%), fewer yards per attempt (7.9-6.4) and a worse QB rating (106.4-89.0) when either Williams or Allen is not on the field.
“If [Mike plays], I think we know how that picture looks,” Allen told the Orange County 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.
“I’ve been with Mike now for two full years,” Staley said. “I’ve also been with Mike through some injuries, so I think we trust Mike and his toughness. … Again, there’s a long time between now and game day. We’re going to take advantage of all that time. Mike is as tough as they come.”
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