Chargers CB J.C. Jackson a healthy scratch in ‘coach’s decision’

The Chargers surprisingly made cornerback J.C. Jackson a healthy inactive in their victory over the Vikings.

After the game, head coach Brandon Staley said the decision on Jackson was made because he felt that group of cornerbacks gave them their best chance to win today.

“Just we felt like going into this game that this was the group that we wanted to play with in this game,” Staley said. “Felt like it was going to give us the best chance. That’s what we did today. And I was really proud of the way our defense played today, especially the secondary.

Jackson worked his way back to live-game action after a ruptured patellar tendon ended his 2022 season. However, in what Staley called a “ramp-up period,” Jackson’s play left a lot to be desired in the first two games.

Jackson played just north of 60% of the defensive snaps against the Dolphins and Titans. In Week 1, Asante Samuel Jr. started in the slot and moved outside when Jackson came out of the game. Last week, Michael Davis rotated with Jackson when Jackson came out of the game.

Jackson was given a five-year, $82.5 million deal last offseason to lock down opposing team’s top wideouts, like Justin Jefferson. And it’s clear based on the decision to bench him for something non-injury related that the team doesn’t have faith in him to do so.

In Los Angeles’ win over Minnesota, they had Samuel and Davis on the outside and Ja’Sir Taylor in the slot.

Jefferson finished the game with seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown.

“Our guys really competed today against a good offensive group, and that group really brought us home at the end of the game,” Staley added.