Mike Williams Injury Updates | Shark Bites

Chargers WR Mike Williams has been diagnosed with a torn left ACL and will miss the rest of the 2023 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The timing of the injury at least gives Williams a good chance to be ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. He turns 29 in about a week and is officially signed with the Chargers for next season. But his contract currently carries a $32.5 million cap hit. Williams will need to restructure that deal to remain with the team. His absence for the rest of this season leaves behind big opportunity. Williams averaged 8.7 targets on a 21.3% share through three games. WR Josh Palmer is the better immediate bet for production with Williams out. But first-round rookie WR Quentin Johnston is the higher-upside longer-term bet. WR Keenan Allen, RB Austin Ekeler (once healthy), and TE Gerald Everett should also see a bit more volume without Williams.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Chargers fear WR Mike Williams may have suffered a "potentially" season-ending left knee injury in Sunday's win over the Vikings. He'll have an MRI today to confirm the diagnosis. Losing Williams would present opportunity to rookie WR Quentin Johnston and third-year WR Josh Palmer. Each will be worth a look on the waiver wire this week, with Johnston carrying more upside.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen racked up 20 targets, 18 catches, and 215 yards in Sunday's win at Minnesota. He even added a 49-yard TD pass to WR Mike Williams in the third quarter. Allen claimed 42.6% of QB Justin Herbert's pass attempts, in a game Williams left late with an injury. Allen looks like a weekly must-start as long as he remains healthy. Williams tallied 7 receptions and 121 yards on 8 targets, which ranked a distant second. WR Josh Palmer posted a 4-66-1 receiving line on 7 targets. He'll be worth claiming off the waiver wire in many fantasy football leagues this week, if Williams appears to be in danger of missing the Week 4 home date with the Raiders.

Chargers WR Mike Williams rode a cart to the bus with his left leg in a brace after Sunday's win over the Vikings, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Williams is scheduled for a Monday MRI, but this obviously looks like a serious injury. We should learn more tomorrow.

Chargers WR Mike Williams suffered an apparent left knee injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Vikings. He needed a couple of trainers to help him off the field. Stay tuned for an update.

Chargers WR Mike Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 7 last year that cost him four games and most of a fifth. Prior to that injury, though, Williams was sitting ninth among WRs in PPR points. He ranked 11th at his position in targets (59), 11th in catches (37), ninth in yards (495), and 10th in TDs (3) from Week 1 to 7. That followed a healthy 2021 season that saw Williams rack up 76 catches, 1,146 yards, and nine TDs in 16 games to finish WR14 in PPR points. He faces additional target competition this year with the arrival of first-round rookie WR Quentin Johnston. But Williams is certainly capable of comfortably beating his recent WR25 ADP. He sits a handful of spots higher in our PPR WR Rankings.

The Chargers have restructured WR Keenan Allen's contract, shaving $8.9 million off his 2023 salary cap number, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That's big for two reasons: 1) The team opened the offseason with one of the league's worst cap situations. 2) That plus Allen's contract had driven speculation the Chargers would cut or trade him. You can now bet on that not happening. And that makes Allen a strong value in current best ball drafting. His ADP has sat in WR3 range since 2023 drafting began. Even with big-time injury issues last year, Allen still finished the season 12th among WRs in PPR points per game and 13th in half-PPR. L.A. also restructured WR Mike Williams' contract to save another $5.5 million in cap space.

The Chargers have fired OC Joe Lombardi, according to NFL Network. Lombardi piloted Los Angeles to top 9 finishes in total yards in each of the past 2 seasons, despite dealing with a bunch of injuries to offensive linemen and skill-position players. But his scheme simply didn't accentuate QB Justin Herbert's arm talent, as evidenced by his 7.6 and 6.4 intended air yards per pass attempt marks over the last 2 years. That 6.4-yard mark this past season ranked 31st among 33 qualifiers. We'll see who the Chargers tab to replace Lombardi -- but the change is more likely than not to be good news for Herbert's fantasy value.

The Chargers have downgraded WR Mike Williams from questionable to out for Saturday night's game against the Jaguars, because of the back injury he suffered in Week 18 against the Broncos. That boosts the outlook for Chargers WRs Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter, who have each moved up our WR rankings for the week. HC Brandon Staley has taken a lot of flak this week for the way he handled starters in a game his team didn't need. But he at least did coaches everywhere a service by clearly reminding everyone why you rest key players in those situations. We'll see about Williams' status for Round 2, if the Chargers advance.

Chargers WR Mike Williams missed practice for a 3rd straight day Thursday, with the back injury he suffered in the Week 18 loss to the Broncos. He is officially questionable for Saturday's game against the Jaguars and sure doesn't look like a great bet based on his practice schedule. We've seen Williams go later in recent full-playoffs drafting. WR Josh Palmer, however, has not risen at the same time. He looks like an attractive option across playoff fantasy football formats this week.

Chargers WR Mike Williams (back) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday for the 2nd day in a row. HC Brandon Staley shared on Tuesday that the veteran is considered day-to-day and that Williams will practice at some point this week. We'll continue to monitor his name on the injury report in advance of Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the Jaguars.

Chargers WR Mike Williams (back) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice report. It'll be important to see if he's able to practice tomorrow ahead of Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the Jaguars. We'll keep an eye on this storyline as more information becomes available.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley said Monday that the MRI on WR Mike Williams' injured back showed no fracture or muscle injury, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Staley added that the "indication" given to him is that Williams will be ready for Saturday night's game against the Jaguars. We'll certainly be tracking his status through the week.