Chargers Fans Rip Brandon Staley After Mike Williams Injury

Brandon Staley looks on during pre-game.

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Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is taking heat on Sunday following an injury to wide receiver Mike Williams. The injury came in a game that has no playoff implications for Los Angeles.

With a Ravens loss earlier in the day, the Chargers are locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC postseason. Despite knowing that there was no way to improve that seeding, Staley opted to play his starters.

Now, that decision is under scrutiny following a setback to his star pass catcher.

Mike Williams exited contest in the first half with an apparent back injury and was in visible discomfort.

Chargers WR Mike Williams was carted to the locker room with a back injury. He then needed a lot of help getting off the cart and was assisted by trainers as he walked into the locker room.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 8, 2023

With the Chargers playing in a basically meaningless matchup, that injury is one that likely didn’t need to happen. That’s caused fans on social media to blast the coaching staff.

One person wrote, “Mike Williams is, let’s say, injury prone, and he’s out here diving for deep passes in a game that means nothing to the Chargers. When did Brandon Staley become a donkey?”

Another fan commented, “I’m baffled by how Brandon Staley is managing this football game.”

With William in the lineup, the Chargers are 8-2 this season. Without him, they’re just 2-4. The wideout has racked up 863 yards this year despite missing those six contests, and he’s one of the NFL’s most dangerous deep threats. Now, he could miss the most significant games of the season.

And Williams’ injury wasn’t the only one of significance. Pass rusher Joey Bosa also left the game though his setback didn’t seem as serious as his teammate’s.

Every bit of respect I gained for Staley will be shredded like a thanos snap if Mike Williams, K9 and Bosa’s injuries are serious and they miss playoffs.

— Tha_Frederation △⃒⃘⚡️ (@Tha_Frederation) January 8, 2023

We’ll be sure to hear about the decision if the injury keeps Mike Williams, or any other key starter is out for the playoffs. The Chargers continue to trip themselves up.