Chargers News: Columnist Wonders If Benched Cornerback Will Return To Lineup

An albatross contract on the roster.

Since signing with the Chargers last offseason, it's been anything but a Hollywood story for J.C. Jackson's time in LA.

Benched in week three as a healthy scratch, many speculate about his future with the team, considering his coach's seemingly lost faith in his ability to help the team. 

An hour and a half before kickoff, the Chargers announced that big-money cornerback J.C. Jackson would be inactive despite being healthy. “Just a coach’s decision,” Staley explained later. “We felt like this was the right group for this game.” In advance of Sunday, Staley suggested Jackson, Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. would be used in a rotation until the Chargers could determine their best pairing at outside corner. Asked specifically if Jackson would have an opportunity to work his way back into a rotation, Staley said the veteran’s status is “to be determined.”

via Jeff Miller, LA Times

Jackson's tenure with the Bolts can be described as underwhelming at best and a grave disappointment at worst. 

Signed to an $82.5 million deal over five seasons, Chargers GM Tom Telesco might already regret the contract just weeks into year two of that lucrative deal. 

Thought to shore up a consistently porous pass defense in Los Angeles, Jackson's play when he's been healthy has only contributed to the team's issues in the secondary. 

Hampered by said ineffective play and benched early into his 2022 campaign, Jackson's return to the lineup last season came with a season-ending knee injury. 

Healthy enough to play in the team's season opener this season, the former Patriot's efforts have hurt LA more than he's helped, making it very possible that his days with the Chargers are numbered with his most recent benching. 

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