Is Mike Williams out against Jaguars? Status of Chargers WR for the playoff game

The Los Angeles Chargers are gearing up to play in the AFC wild card round this weekend but will have to do so without Mike Williams. The wide receiver, who is struggling with an injury, was initially thought likely for Saturday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But on Friday afternoon, NFL insider Tom Pelissero tweeted that while Williams’ X-rays and MRIs came back negative for significant injuries, further testing had shown otherwise. Pelissero reported that further testing showed Williams has a fracture in his back that will keep him off the field for several weeks.

After a first X-ray and MRI were negative, #Charger WR Mike Williams underwent further testing which revealed a fracture in his back which sources say will likely sideline him for a couple of weeks. Big loss for LA in Saturday’s playoffs against Die #jaguars.

After a first X-ray and MRI were negative, #Charger WR Mike Williams underwent further testing which revealed a fracture in his back which sources say will likely sideline him for a couple of weeks. Big loss for LA in Saturday’s playoffs against Die #jaguars.

This leaves quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers without their top offensive weapon. Williams has missed four games this season due to other injuries and hoped he would stay healthy as they attempt to extend that playoff run past the wildcard round.

The wide receiver injured his back in last week’s Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

While many questioned Chargers coach Brandon Staley’s decision-making and had him in the game last week, he seemed to have his reasons. One of them was getting the wide receiver extra snaps after missing several games this season. Unfortunately, that argument cost him his wide receiver for a considerable time.

The Chargers were 8-4 this season when Mike Williams was healthy and on the field. They were only 2-4 when he wasn’t playing. This is the first playoff appearance for the Chargers since 2018. That season, they advanced to the divisional round after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the wild card round.

How long has WR Mike Williams played for the Chargers?

And when the duo out @Keenan13Allen & @darealmike_dub are healthy together, this team looks scary.

In the 4 games in 2022, Williams and Allen both snapped over 50 percent, the Chargers were 4-0, and Herbert led the NFL in completion percentage (73.7).

And when the duo out @Keenan13Allen & @darealmike_dub are healthy together, this team looks scary. In the 4 games in 2022, Williams and Allen both snapped over 50 percent, the Chargers were 4-0, and Herbert led the NFL in completion percentage (73.7).

The Chargers drafted wide receiver Mike Williams from Clemson University with the seventh overall pick of the 2017 draft. In his rookie season, he started just one game while playing in 10 games. But his second pro season proved to be just the breakthrough he needed, with 10 touchdowns and over 600 receiving yards.

In 2021, he set a career high in yards receiving with 1,146 and nine touchdowns. After the season, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers, valued at $60 million.

If the Los Angeles Chargers get past the Jaguars, they may have a chance to see the wide receiver return later in the playoffs.