When Is J.C. Jackson Coming Back for the Los Angeles Chargers?
By Peter Dewey
Cornerback J.C. Jackson was a huge offseason signing for the Los Angeles Chargers, inking a five-year deal worth $82.5 million, including a $25 million signing bonus and $40 million in guarantees.
He should help solidify Los Angeles’ secondary, but he may not be ready for Week 1 of the 2022 season against the Las Vegas Raiders, or Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson underwent a procedure on his ankle to correct a condition he was born with.
His timeline to return puts him against the clock to return for the early portion of the Chargers’ season.
With JC Jackson's return set for 2-4 weeks, that means he could return before the season opener, or potentially miss the Chargers first two games -- division matchups against the Raiders and Chiefs -- on Sunday Sept. 11 and Thursday Sept. 15.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 23, 2022
The Chargers have capable players in their secondary to pick up the slack, including safety Derwin James and corners Bryce Callahan and Asante Samuel Jr.
Los Angeles is +1400 at WynnBET to win the Super Bowl this season, so a slow start is the last thing the team wants with such high expectations.
Here’s the latest on Jackson’s recovery and when he may return for the Chargers:
Latest J.C. Jackson Injury Update
Jackson’s timeline to return is 2-to-4 weeks, meaning Week 1 and Week 2 are certainly in jeopardy, especially since the Chargers play the Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in Week 2.
“A source told ESPN that Jackson underwent a non-invasive procedure to correct something that he was born with ‘so he could feel his best,’” ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry wrote about Jackson’s injury.
Jackson has played in 62 of 65 possible games in his four-year NFL career, so this is a bit of new territory for him.
The worst-case scenario appears to be Jackson missing the first two games of the Chargers season, which would put him on track to return in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jagaurs on Sept. 25.
J.C. Jackson Complete Injury History
This is the first major injury that Jackson has dealt with in his NFL career. He appeared in 13 games as a rookie for the New England Patriots in the 2018 season, and since then he has appeared in all 49 possible regular season games.
Last season, Jackson made the Pro Bowl and led the NFL with 23 passes defended. He finished with 58 tackles, eight interceptions and one forced fumble. Through his four years in the NFL, Jackson has already picked off an impressive 25 passes.
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