USATSI
The Los Angeles Chargers get a boost for their high school as they try to smother the Chiefs’ offensive juggernaut in “Thursday Night Football.” Cornerback JC Jackson will indeed make his debut in the week two opener, with the club officially considering him active. That comes after NFL Network reported that the corner was moving well before the game and ready to play. Jackson was considered a real game-time decider for this competition and was officially ruled questionable.
He also appeared to confirm and post his status on social media “You all know what time it is!!” in his Instagram story.
Jackson did not play in the season opener against the Raiders after undergoing ankle surgery in August. Earlier in the day, the NFL Network reported that the surgery was to remove an extra bone in Jackson’s ankle, which he was born with. It was causing pain and inflammation, so they opted for an arthroscopic procedure to get rid of it.
Of course, given that Jackson hasn’t played or practiced much since the summer, it will be interesting to see what kind of workload he gets when he makes his debut with the Chargers. If the 26-year-old is fully healthy, he is expected to be No. 1 in Los Angeles and will be paid accordingly, having signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal to join the team this offseason.
Originally entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Maryland, Jackson signed with the New England Patriots, where he developed into one of the better cornerbacks in the league. He’s coming off a second-team All-Pro season in 2021, in which he led the NFL with 23 pass separations and eight interceptions. In the four seasons he spent at Foxborough, Jackson totaled 25 interceptions and 53 pass breakups while also helping the club win Super Bowl LIII in his rookie season.