Chargers Lost Key Starters To Injury After Brandon Staley Decided To Play Starters In Meaningless Game

Did Brandon Staley know the Los Angeles Chargers were playing for absolutely nothing on Sunday?

The Los Angeles Chargers already had clinched a playoff spot and were locked into the AFC’s No. 5 seed before taking the field in Week 18. But that didn’t stop Brandon Staley from playing regular starters against the Broncos in Sunday’s 31-28 loss. And unfortunately for the Chargers, that questionable decision backfired as the Chargers lost a couple of big names to injury.

Outside of Justin Herbert taking some big hits, star wide receiver Mike Williams and pass rusher Joey Bosa both left the game with separate injuries:

The Chargers, playing for absolutely nothing, are putting all their starters out there and now have had Joey Bosa and Mike Williams leave injured (extent remains unknown).

Just indefensible nonsense.

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) January 8, 2023

Mike Williams’ injury seemed to be more severe as the wide receiver needed help boarding the team bus after the game:

#Chargers WR Mike Williams suffered a low back injury and underwent X-Rays that were negative, source said. He’ll have more tests tomorrow. A huge injury to watch with an eye toward the playoffs.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2023

The Chargers will travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars in the Wild Card round.