The Chargers may be without their well-paid cornerback acquisition to start the season. J.C. Jackson underwent ankle surgery Tuesday, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper (on Twitter).
The former Patriots corner faces a two- to four-week recovery timetable, making him iffy for the Bolts’ regular-season opener. No roster move involving Jackson will be made until the team sets its 53-man squad, though it is unlikely — barring a setback — Jackson will need to be placed on IR to start the season. This procedure can be categorized as a scope, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Jackson left New England for Los Angeles after the Bolts authorized a five-year, $82.5M deal. That pact came with $40M fully guaranteed and $28M in Year 1. The former undrafted free agent has intercepted 17 passes over the past two seasons; his 23 passes defensed led the league in 2021.
This year’s Bolts season starts off with key games. Los Angeles opens the season against Las Vegas and then travels to Kansas City for a Thursday night game in Week 2. Not having Jackson against a reloaded Raiders attack or perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes would certainly test the Chargers, though L.A. does have some returning starters at the position.
Michael Davis is the front-runner to be the team’s outside corner starter opposite Jackson, having moved ahead of former second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr. for that gig. Jackson’s injury opens the door to a configuration of Davis, Samuel and slot Bryce Callahan. The latter’s rampant injury troubles also have Samuel as a candidate to see slot duty as well.
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