The LA Chargers lost in ugly fashion in Week 7 to the Seattle Seahawks which had many fans questioning whether or not this was even a good football team. In addition to the 37-23 loss in which the team was outplayed in just about every phase, the Bolts also suffered some serious injuries that are worth monitoring.
In the second quarter, J.C. Jackson's knee gave out as he went to defend a Geno Smith pass to Marquise Goodwin and he had to be carted off the field with his leg stabilized. Initial reports indicated that he dislocated his kneecap, although additional damage was not reported.
Later in the game, Mike Williams' ankle was caught beneath a Seahawks defender and rolled on as he fell to the ground. Williams could not put any weight on his foot as he left the field.
Brandon Staley provided horrible injury news to Chargers fans on Monday.
Head coach Brandon Staley delivered the updates that Chargers fans were waiting to hear about the two injuries and the updates were less than ideal. As many feared, J.C. Jackson is going to miss the rest of the 2022 season as he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon.
J.C. Jackson has a ruptured patellar tendon and is out for the season, Brandon Staley said.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 24, 2022
This is a particularly concerning injury as the recovery rate from a ruptured patellar tendon is not great in league history. Players usually are not the same after this injury. Jackson is in the first year of a five-year, $82.5 million contract.
Williams' injury is not as serious but the team is still going to be without him for quite some time. Staley confirmed on Monday that Williams suffered an ankle sprain without giving too much away about his recovery time.
Mike Williams has a sprained ankle and will miss "weeks not days," Brandon Staley said.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 24, 2022
Williams suffered a high ankle sprain and the typical recovery time is 4-6 weeks. At best, Williams might be able to return the weekend after Thanksgiving against the Arizona Cardinals. A more realistic return timeframe would be in mid-December, either against the Miami Dolphins or Tennessee Titans.
Chargers fans should expect to be without Mike Williams for 3-5 games if all goes as planned. Of course, injuries have not always gone as planned with this organization, so anything more than that is still possible.
This ends what was a troubling first season with the Chargers for Jackson. Jackson's debut was delayed due to an offseason ankle surgery and when he did play it was not what fans had hoped for, as Jackson was benched at halftime against the Denver Broncos.
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It also extends what has been a tumultuous season for the Chargers wide receiver room as well. Williams suffered his injury as soon as Keenan Allen returned. Justin Herbert has only gotten four total halves of football with his top two receivers on the field this season.