On Monday, the Los Angeles Chargers confirmed that their wide receiver Mike Williams suffered an ACL injury that will rule him for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Williams got hurt in the third quarter of a dramatic 28-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. After receiving a pass, the 28-year-old player tried to gain extra yardage before having his foot planted in the ground and being tackled from behind.
Following a tackle, Williams remained on the ground and needed to be carted off the field. Up to that point, the veteran had already racked up seven catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.
“It’s the toughest kind of news. You know, Mike’s one of my favorites,” Chargers’ head coach Brandon Staley told reporters after the news was confirmed. “He’s one of our most important players, and he’s a guy who not only is one of our best players, but he sets the example I think from a team-building culture standpoint in terms of how you want to work. “
Williams has been one of the most reliable weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert when he’s on the field. He had a career year in 2021, making 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. Injuries limited him to 13 games last season, but he still managed to 63 receptions for 895 yards and four TDs.
With Williams out, the Chargers will likely hope that rookie wideout Quentin Johnston takes on a bigger role. The 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft only had five receptions for 26 yards so far in the season.
