Chargers’ Verrett out vs. Dolphins; Mike Williams returns to practice

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without one of their premier defenders when they take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

According to ESPN’s Eric D. Williams, Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett will be inactive against the Dolphins.

Chargers injury report: OUT – WR Mike Williams (back), Jason Verrett (knee) and S Rayshawn Jenkins (concussion/… https://t.co/IYTivaoZwF

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) September 15, 2017

Verrett was a surprise addition to the injury report earlier this week, as he is dealing with an apparent knee injury. Verrett, 26, suffered a torn ACL last season, missing the final 12 games of the season. He has dealt with a ton of injuries since being drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft.

Head coach Anthony Lynn said Verrett had an MRI on his knee.

“Just looking at Jason right now, we’re trying to protect him. We’ve done everything possible to get back and be at 100 percent. But right now we are not liking what we see, so we’re going to rest it a little while.” – Lynn on Verrett’s situation, via ESPN

Verrett’s absence is worrisome. He was targeted four times and allowed just one catch for four yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 1, as noted by Pro Football Focus. It goes to show you how valuable he is when he’s on the field. Trevor Williams will likely step in as the starter, but 2017 fifth-rounder Desmond King should see more playing time. King deflected a pass which resulted in an interception in his lone snap against Denver.

In other news, wide receiver Mike Williams, the Chargers’ 2017 first-round pick, practiced for the first time since May, per E. Williams. There was optimism when the Chargers activated Williams, who’s been recovering from a lower back injury, off the physically unable to perform list to start the season, and it appears that he is ahead of schedule. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Williams make his debut in the next two weeks.