Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was criticized heavily for his decision to play key starters in Week 18 despite having no playoff-seeding outcomes on the line. This resulted in star wide receiver Mike Williams getting injured in the game, and now his status is very much in question after not practicing all week.
Staley responded to reports that Williams is officially questionable for Saturday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving an optimistic answer that Chargers fans did not love considering his decision essentially led to the injury.
“The reps aren’t what matter the rest is,” said Staley via NFL Network’s Bridget Condon on Williams missing practice.
Brandon Staley says Mike Williams will travel with the team and he's officially questionable for the game.
"The reps aren't what matter the rest is."
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 12, 2023
While the Chargers’ social media team pulled up receipts of their critics in an epic playoff hype video earlier this week, fans did the same by pointing out that Staley’s decision to play his starters ultimately resulted in the injury.
“Probably should have rested Sunday,” tweeted PGA Tour golfer Hunter Mahan.
Probably should have rested Sunday.
— Hunter Mahan (@HunterMahan) January 12, 2023
“Week 18: rest doesn’t matter, we want reps for our guys. Wild Card” reps don’t matter, rest is more important,” tweeted Warren Sharp of The Ringer.
Week 18: rest doesn't matter, we want reps for our guys
Wild Card: reps don't matter, rest is more important https://t.co/eEoeP2P3oB
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 12, 2023
“That quote, considering what happened on Sunday, is shattering my brain,” tweeted Matt Verderame of Fansided.
That quote, considering what happened on Sunday, is shattering my brain.
Just an all-timer https://t.co/2nfkdVkwdz
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) January 12, 2023
“Imagine if the rest mattered more than the reps last Sunday,” tweeted Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.
Imagine if the rest mattered more than the reps last Sunday https://t.co/FDtI1WX4PW
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) January 12, 2023
It’s obviously impossible to predict an injury for any player in any given game. That being said, these comments show exactly why it was certainly the wrong decision to play his starters in Week 18 instead of resting his starters for the postseason.
Williams may still be able to play, but if he doesn’t Brandon Staley will undoubtedly be the one to blame for the entire situation.