Chargers CB J.C. Jackson's Ankle Surgery to Fix Discomfort, Not a Structural Issue
COSTA MESA – In an unexpected twist just 19 days before the start of the regular season, Chargers star cornerback J.C. Jackson underwent right ankle surgery on Tuesday at the New York Hospital of Special Surgery.
The team has given a timeline for Jackson's return of approximately two to four weeks – a relatively short stint in which they believe he'll be sidelined from the field.
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley offered additional context of the matter on Wednesday, speaking with reporters on what went into the process of Jackson needing this procedure done.
“It only came up like two-and-a-half weeks ago, when he started to feel it in practice a little bit," Staley said of Jackson's right ankle. "It didn’t prohibit him from practicing. He practiced full speed, went against the Cowboys full speed, and played beautifully.
"It’s really more of a comfort level when he will decelerate. It’s just more about his peace of mind, moving forward, to do it now. That’s what he wanted to do, and we supported that. He tried the rehab part of it, and then an injection, and he just felt like if we can get this thing done, that he’s going to be full-speed and there’s no turning back."
Staley classified the procedure as "minor" and emphasized that Jackson is not dealing with any structural damage.
The waiting game for Jackson's return to action hinges on how fast his wound heals.
“When the wound heals, he will be out there. Anyone that has ever had a procedure like that, if the wound heals quickly, it could be on the low side, and if it takes a little bit of time, it could be on the high side," Staley said when asked how optimistic he is that Jackson is healthy in time for the regular season opener.
If in fact Jackson is unavailable for the Chargers' Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, they'll roll out Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. on the outside and Bryce Callahan in the slot.
When questioned how worrisome this is for the team sitting just under three weeks away from the season officially kicking off, Staley answered swiftly by saying "not at all."
"We have a lot of confidence in all three of those guys," Staley said of Davis, Samuel and Callahan. "Those guys are all quality players who know our defense inside and out, who have all made big plays throughout their careers, throughout training camp. They’re all playing at a high level."
Davis and Samuel served as the team's top two outside cornerbacks last year. After a rocky up-and-down season from the defense, the Chargers added to each level of unit this offseason, including a five-year, $82.5 million contract to Jackson and a one-year deal to Callahan, in an effort to enhance their secondary.
With Jackson on the field, the Chargers posses a bonafide No. 1 cornerback, who can play man coverage against the league's top receivers. Without him, you could see the defense play more zone coverage.
Derwin James, who just became the highest-paid safety in NFL history upon signing a four-year, $76.5 million contract last week, could also be utilized from the slot alignment and a variety of other areas.
Throughout the final week of training camp, James has seen looks at slot cornerback during the 11-on-11 portion of practice.
More from Charger Report
- Former Chargers HC Don Coryell Named Coach/Contributor Finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023
- Chargers LB Kenneth Murray Eager to Use Setback as Motivation in His Return to the Field
- Chargers CB J.C. Jackson Undergoes Ankle Surgery
- Chargers Waive Three Players to Cutdown Roster to 80
- Chargers Inching Closer to Answer at Starting Right Tackle Spot
Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Charger Report. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCothrel for more Chargers coverage.
