The LA Chargers rested the most important starters in Week 18 with nothing on the line other than wild-card playoff seeding. It was impossible to rest every starter, though, and unfortunately, the Chargers were reminded of that the hard way early on against the Denver Broncos.
Standout cornerback Donte Jackson started the game for the Bolts and instantly suffered a lower-body injury on Denver's first drive of the game. Jackson's leg was hit awkwardly, prompting trainers to come out and help him off the field. He was taken to the locker room and was ruled questionable to return.
The immediate reaction from Chargers fans after the injury was anger. After all, the Chargers clearly knew there was injury risks but still opted to play one of the most impactful players on defense. In the moment, this felt like Mike Williams all over again for Chargers fans.
In a perfect world, Jackson wouldn't have played, but there are only so many players on the roster. The Chargers simply got unlucky and the hope now is that it doesn't come back to bite in the NFL Playoffs.
Chargers are the victim of bad luck with Donte Jackson injury
The Chargers have just five cornerbacks on the active roster, so somebody had to play. Keeping Tarheeb Still healthy was a priority and Benjamin St-Juste was already nursing an injury. Preseason standout Nikko Reed was put on Injured Reserve the day before the game, not leaving the Chargers with many options.
Yes, the Bolts obviously could have scrapped together a game plan without Jackson on the field, which is what they had to do after he was removed from the game. But a team can't possibly rest every single starter every snap in Week 18. Someone had to play at corner, and unfortunately, Jackson was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Jesse Minter's defense hasn't had one elite cornerback stand out this season, but the collective effort of the secondary has been admirable. Jackson has been a key part of that effort, and without him, the rest of the secondary may suffer.
This is especially true with who the Chargers may play in the first round of the playoffs. It will either be the New England Patriots or the Jacksonville Jaguars, two teams with good quarterbacks and multiple passing weapons to worry about.
The Chargers could certainly beat both of those teams without Jackson, the equation just gets much more complicated. Hopefully, it's an equation Minter doesn't even have to solve.