Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver and former first-round pick Quentin Johnston spent the past week battling a shin injury. While he is dealing with pain, a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggests it won’t be enough to sideline him. Per the NFL insider, Johnston was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is expected to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars, barring a setback.
Quentin Johnston Injury Update: WR’s Status Revealed For Chargers-Jaguars
Having Quentin Johnston on the field is a big boost for a Chargers team that has been ravaged by injury after injury throughout the season. The team already lost star tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt for the season, turning a major strength into a glaring weakness. Quarterback Justin Herbert now has one of the weakest offensive lines in the game, and he’ll need reliable targets like Johnston on the field to help mitigate the impact of subpar blocking.
Johnston is in the midst of his best season. After a disappointing rookie campaign, the TCU product has slowly but surely transformed into a reliable starter for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. Through the first nine games of the season, the wide receiver has recorded 37 receptions for 502 yards and six touchdowns and is on pace to shatter his career-best numbers. Paired with a budding star in Ladd McConkey, a reliable veteran in Keenan Allen, and a breakout star in tight end Oronde Gadsden, this iteration of the Chargers has arguably the deepest group of pass-catching talent since Herbert took the starting job.
Quentin Johnston and the Chargers will face off against a Jaguars team fighting for their playoff lives. After dropping a heartbreaker against the Houston Texans last week, the team is 5-4 and must string together a few wins to maintain its Wild Card spot. The Chargers, meanwhile, are 7-3 and could tie for the division lead if they beat Jacksonville and the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images
