Chargers HC remains confident in Quentin Johnston despite rookie WR's disappointing start

Johnston — the 21st overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft — suffered a rib injury in the 20-10 defeat, but he was cleared to return and felt he could reenter the game, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. However, Staley refuted this.

"It's not because of a lack of confidence. It's not because of any other part of your imagination," the HC said Monday, via Rhim. "Quentin will be out there if he's able to be out there."

While player safety is imperative, the Chargers (4-7) have let other wideouts play through injuries this season. Keenan Allen recently suffered an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder but hasn't missed a game.

Johnston has only played 53 percent of the snaps and has recorded 21 receptions for 190 yards. He also had a critical drop in a Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

"Johnston caught one pass for seven yards against Baltimore in the midst of what has been a nightmarish rookie season," wrote Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman. "Johnston has eclipsed 35 yards in a game just once and has one touchdown this season. His 0.72 yards per route run figure is the lowest among qualified rookie receivers and the fourth lowest in the NFL."

When the Chargers drafted Johnston, they passed on Baltimore's Zay Flowers (22nd pick) and Minnesota's Jordan Addison (23rd pick). Thus far, that looks like a mistake. Flowers has 58 receptions for 613 yards and two TDs, while Addison has 54 for 686 yards and seven TDs.

Johnston, 22, must improve; otherwise, he'll be labeled a bust.