Chargers rookie wide receiver Mike Williams set to debut Week 6

Facing the prospect of an 0-5 start on Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers are in line to get rookie wide receiver Mike Williams in the fold for Week 6.

Things are not going well for the Chargers early in their return to Los Angeles, playing in front of large contingents of road fans in a soccer stadium and losing their first four games this season. An 0-5 start is a real possibility, as they’ve made a difficult trip cross-country to play the also winless New York Giants on Sunday.

But there is a glimmer of hope for the Chargers. Rookie wide receiver Mike Williams has been sidelined by a back injury essentially since minicamp, but the Chargers took him off the PUP list before Week 1 and he has been practicing in pads on a limited basis in recent weeks.

Had he remained on the PUP list into the regular season, Williams would have been eligible to return after six weeks. But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft out of Clemson is set to make his debut in Week 6 against the Oakland Raiders.

Back injuries are always subject to aggravation and setbacks. But the Chargers have been very careful with Williams, as he deals with a disc issue and did not have surgery.

With ample offensive weapons in the fold, and good wide receiver depth with everyone else healthy (Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin, Dontrelle Inman), making sure Mike Williams is 100 percent ready is a luxury the team has been able to afford.

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Though he is active, Tyrell Williams was listed as questionable for the game against the Giants with a neck issue. If that becomes a lingering or more severe problem during Sunday’s game, Mike Williams could be asked to step into a pretty significant role right away when he returns in Week 6.