LA Chargers: Mike Williams could have a tough season at the worst time

Mike Williams may have a down year for the LA Chargers at the worst time.

Mike Williams can’t catch a break. In his rookie year, he dealt with a lower back injury which caused him to miss the entire training camp, preseason and the LA Chargers‘ first six games of the season. The rest of the games he played, he did so with visible discomfort, and also suffered a knee injury.

Williams only amounted for 11 catches for 95 yards in what was almost a redshirt rookie season. Williams had a better sophomore year. While he was inconsistent, he started coming into his own with 11 total touchdowns and 664 receiving yards on just 66 targets.

However, he didn’t manage to gain Philip Rivers’ full confidence yet, and that prevented him from being unleashed onto the league. Games like his three-touchdown game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead where he carried the offense showed his potential to be an elite weapon in the league, and Rivers’ attention was bound to come.

2019 was going to be the year where everything came together, and it almost was. With his targets jumping up to 90 thanks to Rivers’ newfound confidence in his receiver and Tyrell Williams’ departure, even with a drop in efficiency he would manage to produce a successful breakout season.

Regression did come in the touchdown department, as he went on from the aforementioned 11 touchdowns to just two. He did manage to notch his first career 1,000-yard season with a yard to spare.

His breakout almost came, but was impeded by a knee injury suffered at the season opener which bothered him all season. And you could see his pain after big plays, where he constantly left the field and got checked before he returned.

Williams also posted a 20.4 yards per catch mark, which was #1 in the league among qualifying receivers. Even with his average speed, he showed he was an elite deep threat with spectacular catch after spectacular catch.

With a highlight reel that most receivers could only dream of, a rested knee, and hunger to show what he’s made of, what’s limiting Williams from having a monster season?