Los Angeles Chargers safety Jaylen Watkins tears ACL

In typical Chargers fashion, another (possibly) key player has suffered a season-ending injury. This injury was sustained by Safety Jaylen Watkins. Watkins has reportedly torn his ACL, per Ian Rapaport. This is the third player that has suffered this injury for the Chargers, with the first two being tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Roberts. He is also the second defensive back to be out for the season after cornerback Jason Verrett tore his Achilles on the first day of camp. Things are not looking good on the injury front for the team.

The injury occurred when Melvin Ingram fell onto the leg of Watkins during the Chargers’ 24-14 preseason win over the Seattle Seahawks last night. This game saw Watkins start the game at free safety, this being his first start for the team.

Watkins signed with the team this offseason after being waived by the team that used a fourth round pick on him in 2014, the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2017, he played under a one year deal with the reigning Super Bowl champions, playing in 12 of the team’s 16 regular season games.

He was in the competition for the team’s starting free safety position with players like Jahleel Addae and Rayshawn Jenkins.

Watkins’ unfortunate injury takes who was perhaps leading the competition, given the fact that he started last night’s game, out of the equation. The free safety position was already one of the team’s most glaring holes that needed to be filled, that need now becomes even more stressed.

Expect to see Watkins placed on the Injured Reserve list in the coming days, with there also being a chance the team brings in another player to compete for the spot that Watkins will now be vacating.