As one of the hotter teams down the stretch of the 2022 NFL season, the Los Angeles Chargers could’ve begun their playoff run with all their valuable horses in the stable. Instead, with the team’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars looming on Saturday, they might be without vital playmaker Mike Williams. And head coach Brandon Staley seems to be the one likely at fault.
You see, the Chargers had nothing to play for during their regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. Already locked in as the AFC’s No. 5 seed, Los Angeles probably would’ve been better served to rest essential starters ahead of a hopeful deep playoff run. That didn’t happen.
And when Mike Williams injured his back during the matchup — a problem dating back to the start of his career — folks weren’t happy with Staley’s recklessness in a game that meant nothing.
As it unsurprisingly turns out, Williams now appears to be a game-time decision against the Jaguars:
#Chargers WR Mike Williams (back) did not practice today and is questionable for Saturday. The team will give him up to game-time to be able to go vs. the #Jaguars.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2023
Thanks to the prowess of Justin Herbert, the Chargers may well leave Jacksonville and advance to the Divisional Round anyway. But it’s definitely going to be more challenging if one of their top weapons in Williams can’t go. And should that happen, you have to think Staley will regret his late-season decision-making — when his team had nothing to play for — if L.A. gets eliminated.
NFL fans remained angry with Staley for playing Williams in a game that had no bearing on the Chargers' playoff seeding
if he doesn’t play and they lose Brandon Staley should absolutely be fired before the plane ride home https://t.co/BvLzeqAMSW
— kyle (@KBlask31) January 12, 2023
Dude wouldn't even have been injured if Staley would have rested his starters in a game that didn't matter lol https://t.co/Yy2bM97W0n
— Commissioner Gordon (@NotoriousJMFG) January 12, 2023
Fire Brandon Staley https://t.co/BNtEycGCkZ
— Paul Taylor II, CPA (@Ptaylor_78) January 12, 2023
if mike will can’t play or he doesn’t look like him self out there.. And the team loses… Might as well start get Payton’s sizes in hats and sweat shirts ready. https://t.co/o1OzAXUG8r
— 👀👀 (@iam_LAX) January 12, 2023
If Mike Williams is out and the Chargers lose do the Chargers start searching for a new coach? This is peak mismanagement https://t.co/tIoynM2dfE
— Neal D (@neald_93) January 12, 2023
On GOD I hate Brandon Staley and Joe Lombardi https://t.co/CORdS0XgEg
— Jacob (@JacobBishop__) January 12, 2023
Sean Payton to LAC is inevitable https://t.co/6JRCmMEBr9
— Brian (@bpaugustine) January 12, 2023
I bet coach is glad he played him in a meaningless game. https://t.co/47o4tORgCg
— Zach Takes (@ZachTakes) January 12, 2023
Please fire Brandon Staley so Sean Payton has a chance to go there https://t.co/uWB68XN0yh
— Jose Sanchez III (@JSanchezFN) January 12, 2023
