MIKE WILLIAMS NEWS

Logs limited practice Wednesday Williams (shoulder) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.

Impact That's definitely a step in the right direction for Williams, especially considering previous speculation that the wideout's shoulder issue could impact his availability well into September. As is stands, coach Anthony Lynn has indicated that Williams figures to be a "game-time decision" for Sunday's season opener against the Bengals.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

May be game-time decision Sunday Head coach Anthony Lynn said Williams (shoulder) is a "game-time decision" for Sunday's game versus the Bengals, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact On Saturday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reported that the Chargers were preparing to play without Williams for most of September, so Lynn's announcement is a clear contradiction. When Williams was first diagnosed with a sprained shoulder on Aug. 25, he was given a 2-to-4 week timeline, and Sunday's game will be nearly three weeks after the injury. His final status will likely depend on how the injury responds during practice this week.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

May miss most of September The Chargers may be without Williams (shoulder) for most of September, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Williams is nearly two weeks removed from suffering a sprained shoulder, which was expected to require 2-to-4 weeks to recover. If the absence includes Week 1 and at least one of the Chargers' two subsequent games, he's clearly trending toward the latter end of that range. As long as Williams is sidelined, snaps at outside receiver will be available for Jalen Guyton and Joe Reed.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Could be a go in Week 1 Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen suggests that Williams (shoulder) has a shot to play in Week 1 against the Bengals, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports. "Mik...

Impact We'll get a better read on Williams' Week 1 status once official practice participation reports start rolling in next week, but it sounds like the starting wideout could well tough it out in the Chargers' season opener. If that's the case, he'll be catching passes from confirmed starting QB Tyrod Taylor.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Out 2-to-4 weeks Williams is expected to be out 2-to-4 weeks due to a sprained shoulder, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact With such a timeline, Williams' availability for Week 1 in Cincinnati could be in peril, which is backed up by comments from coach Anthony Lynn earlier Tuesday. Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Lynn said Williams is "out for awhile" and may not be ready for the opener. The Chargers will take a wait-and-see approach with the fourth-year wideout, and in the meantime the likes of Jalen Guyton and Joe Reed seem poised to work on the outside in Williams' place.

AUGUST 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Looking dicey for Week 1 Coach Anthony Lynn isn't sure if Williams (shoulder) will be available for Week 1, saying the wide receiver will be "out for a while," Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Williams sprained his shoulder during Sunday's practice and now appears likely to miss the rest of training camp. The Chargers haven't ruled him out for Week 1 at Cincinnati, but at the very least, he figures to have a spot on the injury report. The team's wideout depth behind Williams and Keenan Allen is a major weakness, with Jalen Guyton, Darius Jennings, Joe Reed and K.J. Hill the top candidates to fill in.

AUGUST 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with sprained shoulder Williams is considered week-to-week with a shoulder sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Williams suffered the injury during Sunday's practice, exactly three weeks before the Chargers' season opener in Cincinnati. Rapoport suggests the wideout is no lock to play in that contest, though it sounds like a long-term absence isn't expected. Williams' collarbone is intact, so he at least avoided the worst-case scenario that was initially speculated when he walked off the practice field with his arm hanging at his side. Any absence would be a big deal for the Chargers offense, which arguably has the weakest receiver depth in the league behind Williams and fellow starter Keenan Allen. If Williams were to miss the season opener, candidates to join the starting lineup would include Jalen Guyton, Darius Jennings and rookies Joe Reed and K.J. Hill.

AUGUST 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Getting shoulder checked out Williams is slated to undergo tests on his shoulder after leaving practice early Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact The report also notes that Williams' collarbone "checked out fine," offering hope that the wideout avoided a serious injury. If Williams ends up missing more than a few days, however, the Chargers may be forced to add some wide receiver depth, given the team's lack of proven options behind Keenan Allen and Williams.

AUGUST 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Praised by new QB Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor suggested Williams will be a frequent target of deep passes, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Taylor said 50-50 jump balls are "more like 70-30 or 80-20" when thrown to the 6-foot-4 Williams. It's widely expected that the Chargers will run the ball more as they transition from Philip Rivers to Taylor and Justin Herbert at QB, but there should still be room for Williams to get a few downfield looks per game. While the Chargers also need to feed Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry, their shaky depth at the skill positions could lead to the top four players handling a dominant share of the targets.

AUGUST 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE