Chargers Daily Links: Is Justin Jackson a potential cut candidate?

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Each and every offseason, tough decisions will have to be made. Just because you’re a veteran doesn’t mean your chances of getting cut or released are slim to none. Sometimes, despite having proved you’re one of the best players at your position on the team, a player’s situation can take a wrong turn and leave them in a vulnerable position. Some precursors to this tend to be a string of injuries or a down year.

In a recent article at ESPN, each team’s beat writer took to the task of selecting one veteran they felt could be a cut candidate this offseason due to a myriad of factors. For the Chargers, team writer Shelley Smith pegged running back Justin Jackson as someone who could find himself with another team this season.

“I can’t see the Chargers keeping four running backs (Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley being two that are safe) and they just drafted Larry Rountree out of Missouri in the sixth round,” says Smith. “So one’s got to go and I think it could be Jackson, who is entering his fourth season. Rountree has massive thighs, a good thing for a running back, and he will fit in nicely as a third back. Ekeler is fully healthy and Kelley is really fast and showed potential as a rookie last season.”

I agree with Smith in that I also cannot imagine the Chargers keeping four running backs plus Gabe Nabers on the final 53-man roster. That just wouldn’t make a ton of sense when there’s other positions on the team that may need more bodies out of the gate in order to help settle certain rotations and solidify needier groups.

I like Rountree and believe he’ll make the team as Brandon Staley’s “guy” that he drafted at running back. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see Kelley fall out of favor since he was an Anthony Lynn draft pick and may not fit the type of back that Staley wants in his offense. However, Smith is right to think Jackson’s unfortunate injury history could finally be catching up to him. If he winds up injured within the first few games, I’m not so sure the coaching staff will be willing to continue investing in a player who just can’t seem to stay on the field.

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

Where does Joey Bosa rank among the NFL’s best edge rushers? (Chargers Wire)

Answer this poll on whether or not the Chargers should extend Mike Williams (Chargers Wire)

One dream addition from each AFC East team (Bolt Beat)

Who is a current sleeper player for the Chargers? (L.A. Football Network)

NFL News:

These veterans aren’t guaranteed a job with their current teams (ESPN)

Who are the top-10 candidates for a bounce back season? (CBS Sports)

Trevor Lawrence signed his rookie contract (ESPN)

Which head coaches will reignite their teams? (NFL.com)

Former Titans tight end Delanie Walker endorses Anthony Firkser (NFL.com)

Aaron Rodgers said he prioritized his mental health this offseason (Pro Football Talk)