LA Chargers training camp officially started on Wednesday and it marks the start of what fans are hoping is a long journey toward the Super Bowl for the Bolts.
Things are looking up for the Chargers as the 2023 season officially begins its intro phase. The team appears to be healthier than it has been in a long time after the 2022 season and Justin Herbert was just locked-up long-term with a massive new contract extension.
Another positive beam of news for fans has been the progression of J.C. Jackson from injury. After rupturing his patellar tendon last season, many fans didn't expect to see Jackson back in action until halfway through the 2023 season. Instead, Jackson is back in action for the start of training camp, indicating that if all goes well the star corner will be ready for Week 1.
Ladies and gentlemen: JC Jackson
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) July 26, 2023
(in walkthroughs, no pads)
He fired up the crowd when attendees started shouting his name pic.twitter.com/uUtr9klSBD
It would not have been surprising at all if Jackson was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start training camp. That was not the case though, as Jackson's name was notably absent from the short list of players actually on the PUP list.
Chargers news: Jalen Guyton, Austin Johnson and Otito Ogbonnia placed on PUP list
Three different players who suffered injuries last season were put on the PUP list to start training camp for the Bolts. This should not be overly concerning for Chargers fans, as this is just an example of the team easing these players back into the fold.
Guyton tore his ACL in Week 3 last season and based on the timetable to return he should be able to play in Week 1. The Chargers probably would not have re-signed him in free agency if the team didn't think he would be available at the beginning of the season.
Johnson suffered an MCL sprain and knee fracture in Week 9 while Ogbonnia suffered a quad injury in Week 10. Both injuries happened later in the year than Guyton so it may take longer for the defensive linemen to get back to full speed.
Regardless, it is great news to see Jackson back on the field practicing for the Bolts. It seemed impossible for Jackson to be healthy for Week 1 and he appears to be healthy long before that.