The saga surrounding Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver took another turn on Friday with the news that he had been ruled out for the Wild Card Round playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The news got even worse once it was revealed what the injury entailed and when it happened.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Friday that Williams would miss Saturday’s game. Furthermore, the injury is extensive enough that his season is almost certainly over.
“Williams suffered a fracture in his back last Sunday that is expected to sideline him the next two to three weeks, meaning that, barring an LA Super Bowl run, his season is over,” said Schefter.
That’s a bad look for Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who played Williams for 25 snaps against the Denver Broncos last week in a game that had no impact on LA’s playoff status. Fans were furious when Williams was injured and needed to be carted off the field. Staley said earlier in the week that Williams would be available for the game, and he later got a little cheeky with reporters over the drama surrounding the injury. However, now that it looks like Staley’s decision cost him and the Chargers their star wideout for the most important game of the year, not too many folks are laughing.
“If the Chargers lose this game because Brandon Staley played his starters in a meaningless game…oh boy,” said Fantasy Playbook’s Kyle Yates.
If the Chargers lose this game because Brandon Staley played his starters in a meaningless game…oh boy. https://t.co/GZ5SpDeCeh
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) January 13, 2023
“Brandon Staley playing his starters was probably a bad idea. Seeing Mike Williams get hurt was awful and should have been a wake-up call,” said ESPN’s Bill Barnwell.
Brandon Staley playing his starters was probably a bad idea. Seeing Mike Williams get hurt was awful and should have been a wake-up call.
Having that happen and still playing Keenan Allen *into the fourth quarter*? Catching passes from Chase Daniel????
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 13, 2023
“Brandon Staley has made some questionable/awful decisions over the last two years… this one is at the top,” said ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi.
Brandon Staley has made some questionable/awful decisions over the last two years… this one is at the top. https://t.co/mLe4DUfoPD
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) January 13, 2023
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.