The Los Angeles Chargers are facing some physical setbacks as training camp approaches. Only a short time after the announcement concerning former Pro Bowl rusher Najee Harris’s “minor ocular impairment” resulting from an incident involving pyrotechnics, the Chargers designated five athletes as unable to perform physically, encompassing receiver Mike Williams.
In a similar vein to Harris, the Chargers recruited Williams during the off-season, anticipating he would bolster an offensive unit that secured the 11th spot in the NFL for point accumulation during the previous year. Williams, having previously dedicated seven seasons to the Chargers before dividing the recent season among the Jets and Steelers, aims to revitalize his career after managing only 21 receptions across 18 appearances last year. Williams, aged 30, contended with diverse injuries during his earlier period with the Chargers, following his selection as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft. He surpassed the 1,000-yard threshold in 2019 and 2021 yet accumulated a total of merely 547 yards throughout the subsequent three seasons.
The fact that Harris isn’t on the team’s PUP list is of importance, considering when his injury occurred. Harris, having agreed to a one-year arrangement with the Chargers in the off-season, is anticipated to constitute one segment of Los Angeles’s potent running back duo alongside first-round draftee Omarion Hampton. Another former first-round selection himself, Harris distinguishes himself as the singular running back within the NFL to have consistently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past four years. Harris’s representative declared the prior week that his client is “fully poised to be prepared for the NFL season forthcoming” after suffering an injury during a Fourth of July occurrence involving pyrotechnics.
Chargers RB Najee Harris injured in fireworks accident but expected to be ready for season, agent says
Jordan Dajani
Williams was accompanied on the roster by wideout Jaylen Johnson, defensive back Elijah Molden, linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips, and offensive tackle Savion Washington. The Chargers did not disclose specifics of the injuries affecting these players.
An athlete has the option to be removed from the PUP list at any moment during training camp. Therefore, although it’s not optimal, the presence of five athletes on the designated list should not trigger excessive anxiety if you’re a proponent of Los Angeles.
