Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams cashed in as a free agent in 2022, agreeing to a three-year, $60 million contract with the only team he has known in his professional career. He earned it with career highs across the board during the 2021 season, as he caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.

Big things were expected from Mike Williams in 2022, but injuries slowed him down at times. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the middle of the season which cost him four games in total. Williams ended the season with 63 receptions for 895 yards and four touchdowns. 

Despite the midseason road bump, he shook it off and was rounding into shape at the end of the regular season getting ready for the postseason. Unfortunately, he most likely won’t be taking part in the postseason because of a small, non-surgical fracture in his back. 

Mike Williams suffered a back injury in Week 18 in a game that had no bearing on the standings as the Chargers were locked into the No. 5 seed. Originally all x-rays and MRIs came back negative, but he was not progressing in the fashion the team had hoped as he didn’t practice all week. A back contusion was the original diagnosis but after another round of testing and an MRI, the fracture was revealed.

This is a brutal loss for the Chargers’ offense as they were undefeated this season when Keenan Allen and Mike Williams shared the field. The injury will keep him sidelined for at least 2-3 weeks, so unless the Chargers make a run to the Super Bowl, Williams’ season is more than likely over.

Mike Williams will remain in Los Angeles and get treatment on his back while the team travels to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night. This is the second time the teams will be matching up as the Jaguars blew out the Chargers in Week 3, 38-10, in Los Angeles.