Fansided

Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams remains on the sidelines

By Russell S. Baxter

Apr 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers first round pick Mike Williams poses with president A.G. Spanos (left) during a press conference at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers first round pick Mike Williams poses with president A.G. Spanos (left) during a press conference at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams was the Los Angeles Chargers’ first-round pick, but the team hasn’t seen much of him on the field yet.

This past season, quarterback Philip Rivers and his San Diego Chargers finished eighth in the NFL in passing. That’s pretty impressive considering wide receiver Keenan Allen was lost after Week 1. Versatile running back Danny Woodhead went down the following Sunday. The team’s leading pass-catcher was Tyrell Williams. He was followed by fellow wideout Dontrelle Innman, veteran tight end Antonio Gates and newcomer Travis Benjamin.

With Allen having problems staying healthy, there was certainly a need for another big play wideout. Hence, the Bolts used the seventh overall pick on Mike Williams, a member of the Clemson Tigers. He showed promise during his sophomore year in ‘14, but he missed all but one game the following season with a neck injury. He rebounded this past year with 98 catches for 1,361 yards and 11 scores.

However, Williams’ NFL career is off to a rough start. He suffered a back injury during the first day of rookie minicamp roughly two weeks ago and hasn’t been back on the field. And that is a minor cause for concern,

“I’d like to see him out there next week because he’s getting behind right now, and we’ve got to get him back out on the field,” explained new Chargers’ head coach Anthony Lynn to Eric D. Williams of ESPN. “If he wasn’t a rookie it would be different. But he has so much to learn, and some of this you can only learn on the field.”

The team’s quarterback is also hoping to have his newest weapon available when possible. “Obviously, it’s nothing he can’t catch up on,” explained Rivers. “But this to me is valuable time, especially at his position. With all of the things we ask for from our receivers formation-wise and all of the things we do like no-huddle, it would be good for him to be out there doing this.”

More fansided.com: 30 replacements for Roger Goodell

There’s certainly no reason for panic. But no doubt these Los Angeles Chargers would love to see their top rookie getting in some work on the field. This is a team that has won a combined nine games the past two seasons and could use all the good news they can get. And that means seeing Williams snaring passes from his prolific quarterback.

“Hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later,” added Rivers. “But obviously he’s involved in the meetings and everything, so it’s nothing he can’t get caught up on when we get to (training) camp, or hopefully before then. But certainly it would be good to have him out there.”

Home/Los Angeles Chargers