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LA Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams left practice on Sunday with an apparent shoulder injury and will be getting tests to determine the extent of the issue. Reports say Williams went down on his right arm while attempting to make a reception.
Injury updates:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2020
— #Chargers WR Mike Williams, who left praftice early, will undergo tests on his shoulder. The collarbone checked out fine, and there is optimism that it’s not a serious injury.
— #49ers rookie Brandon Aiyuk left practice early after an apparently hamstring pull.
Since being the seventh overall pick out of Clemson in 2017, Williams has gradually worked his way up from barely contributing as a rookie to leading the NFL in yards per reception last season. The Chargers wideout caught 49 of 90 targets for 1,001 yards and 20.4 yards per catch. On the down side, Williams only finished with two receptions and a catch rate of 54.4-percent.
But his 11.1 yards per target was one of the better marks among receivers and he caught 10 touchdowns a year prior.
Williams suffered a neck injury in college and a back injury during his first season with the Chargers. He missed one game due to a bone bruise as well and last season missed another due to another issue with his back. LA has little experience in their receivers group outside of Keenan Allen and they may be turning to rookies K.J. Hill and Joe Reed or a veteran journeyman like Darius Jennings, Jason Moore or other. Receiver is also a group that typically has a number of recognizable faces on the free agent market because of general depth around the league. A number of names should pop up after final cuts.
The Chargers are going to be first among those hoping that scouring the free agent market won’t be necessary.