The start of the 2023 season hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson. Jackson, who returned from a season-ending patellar tendon injury, struggled in the first two games. As a result, he was a healthy scratch last Sunday in Los Angeles’ win over the Vikings.
This happened a day after a warrant was issued for Jackson’s arrest after he failed to pay a $600 fine and attend a four-hour class on reckless driving from when he was charged with driving 100 mph in South Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 2021 while he was a member of the Patriots.
Buy Chargers TicketsBut Jackson’s benching wasn’t a result of his legal situation or health concerns related to the knee. Brandon Staley said it was a “coach’s decision” after the game and followed it up on Monday by saying, “just the overall product, from the beginning of the week to the end of the week.”
Jackson was asked about being benched and said he was confused by it.
I’m still kind of confused on why. I can’t put my opinion on it. It was a coach’s decision. It was above (me). I’m not in control. This is not my team. So that’s what I’m saying. I can tell you I’m confused, I don’t know what’s going on. But that’s not the real answer of why I didn’t play last week or why I didn’t start. That’s above me.
On Thursday, Jackson admitted that he is still not fully recovered from his knee injury.
“That’s exactly what it is, I’m not 100 percent,” Jackson said. “I know that the doctors know that. I’m not 100 percent so I’m doing my best. We’re giving the team what they want. I’m doing my best and I don’t know what they expect me to do.”
Jackson signed a five-year contract worth $82.5 million with the Bolts last offseason after earning All-Pro honors in his final season with New England. They have yet to see him play at that caliber, but he remains confident that he can get there.
“I know what I can do,” Jackson said. “I know that I can help the team so it kind of frustrates me that I’m not starting and that coach has me sitting out, and I’m one of the best players on the team. I’m one of the best [defensive backs] that we have.”
It remains to be seen if Jackson will play this weekend or what his role will be when the Chargers host the Raiders.
“It is going to be determined by what happens in practice this week,” Staley said.
