COSTA MESA, Calif. – JC Jackson sat at his locker in the corner of the Los Angeles Chargers’ locker room Thursday afternoon, and when he heard the question, the star cornerback looked down and paused for a brief moment.
Are you in good health?
He looked up.
“I’m playing, so I want to say -“
Jackson paused and then continued.
“I’m not 100 percent,” he said. “I do what I can.”
Whatever Jackson does, it wasn’t enough for Brandon Staley and the rest of the Chargers’ coaching staff. That is clear after three games this season.
Jackson, who suffered a season-ending patellar tendon tear in Week 7 last season, was inactive for the Chargers’ 28-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Minneapolis. Staley said after the game that it was a “coach’s decision.” No mention of health concerns related to the knee. And Staley addressed the response on Monday, saying the issues with Jackson affected “just the overall product, from the beginning of the week to the end of the week.”
Jackson’s knee injury was serious and he showed exemplary dedication and determination in his rehab process, remaining at the team facility throughout the season. He was ahead of schedule when he attended the first practice of training camp, and he showed enough to start in the Chargers’ first two games of the season, which lost to the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans.
Jackson would not have been on the field in training camp or the first two games of this season if he had not been medically cleared. And yet on Thursday he insisted that he was not completely healthy.
A reporter began a question with, “You said you don’t think you’re 100 percent…”
Jackson interrupted the question.
“I know that’s not the case,” he said firmly. “It’s not ‘thinking.’ I know.”
The Chargers signed Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million contract last offseason for games like the one they played Sunday at US Bank Stadium.
The Vikings have perhaps the best receiver in football in Justin Jefferson. In March 2022, a few days after agreeing to terms with Jackson, Staley said the following: “We were looking for… someone who had the ability to cover the No. 1 receivers.” He is one of the few players in in the league who are actually with the number 1 receivers.”
When that opportunity arose Sunday, Jackson watched from the sidelines in a hoodie and shorts.
“I still don’t know why,” Jackson said when asked about being inactive for the Vikings game. “I can’t express my opinion on it. It was a coach’s decision. It was above (me). I’m not in control. This is not my team. So that’s what I’m saying. I can tell you, I’m confused, I don’t know what’s going on. But that’s not the real answer to why I didn’t play last week or why I didn’t start. This is above me.”
It’s hard to imagine anyone on the Chargers’ coaching staff — particularly Staley or defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley — not having a conversation with Jackson explaining exactly why he was inactive Sunday.
And Jackson contradicted himself to some extent in his media session on Thursday. When asked if his bench change was a surprise, Jackson replied: “It wasn’t a surprise. I somehow knew what was going on. I kind of knew what was going on.”
What was going on?
“You’re all trying to get an answer that I’m not going to give you all,” Jackson said. “Last week was last week. Let’s leave last week where it was.”
Ultimately, the Chargers have every incentive to get the best out of Jackson. They gave him a contract that made him one of the ten highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. There couldn’t be more at stake for the organization this season. The path to a better defensive unit for Staley will help Jackson rediscover the level of play he showed in New England. Every move and decision the Chargers make is designed to achieve this.
“He’s on our team,” Staley said Monday, “and we expect him to prepare, practice and continue to improve. “Those are our expectations of him.”
Sunday’s bench press seemed to be a challenge for Jackson.
A warrant was issued for his arrest in Massachusetts on Monday after he failed to appear in court for a probation violation hearing.
When asked about the warrant on Thursday, Jackson said: “I have my team under control. Everything is handled. It was a miscommunication. But it’s all taken care of, man.”
Jackson said he expects to play this Sunday when the Chargers host the Las Vegas Raiders in a matchup of 1-2 AFC West teams.
“We’re ready to beat Las Vegas’ ass,” he said.
Staley said Wednesday that “all options are open” regarding Jackson’s role against the Raiders, including being active but not in the starting lineup.
Expect another elite receiver in Davante Adams, who had 18 catches for 318 yards and three touchdowns in two games against the Chargers last season.
Will Jackson get the opportunity this weekend to be the No. 1 cornerback the Chargers envisioned in the 2022 offseason?
That’s ultimately up to him.
“I’m not changing anything,” Jackson said. “I’m going to continue to be who I am, continue to work hard, come to work and do what I need to do. There is no pressure on me. So I’m just going to go about my daily routine, be a professional and take care of business on Sunday.”
Required reading
(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today)