NFL News Roundup: Chargers WR Mike Williams Placed on PUP List Ahead of Training Camp…see more…
In a move that raised eyebrows around the league, the Los Angeles Chargers announced on Monday that veteran wide receiver Mike Williams has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of the team’s 2025 training camp. The decision adds uncertainty to Williams’ status as he continues recovering from a torn ACL suffered early last season and puts his Week 1 availability in question.
Williams, who turns 31 in October, sustained the injury during a Week 3 game in the 2024 NFL season, cutting short what had been a promising start. He was expected to be one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s top targets, especially after the departure of Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and the emergence of rookie Quentin Johnston. While Williams has reportedly been making solid progress in his rehab, the team is clearly opting to proceed with caution.
What the PUP Designation Means
Being placed on the active/PUP list means Williams is not yet cleared for football activities but remains eligible to be activated anytime before the final roster cutdown. If he is still on the PUP list when the season begins, he will be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. That possibility looms larger with each week he is not practicing.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, entering his first NFL season since returning from Michigan, downplayed the move but acknowledged the importance of getting Williams fully healthy before reintroducing him to the field.
“We’re being smart with Mike,” Harbaugh told reporters. “He’s a big part of what we want to do offensively, and there’s no sense in rushing him out there if he’s not 100 percent. He’ll be out there when the medical staff gives us the green light.”
Depth at Wide Receiver Now Under the Spotlight
With Williams sidelined, attention turns to how the Chargers will structure their receiving corps during training camp. Quentin Johnston, the 2023 first-round pick, is now entering a crucial second season after an up-and-down rookie year. Johnston showed flashes of big-play potential but struggled with consistency and drops.
Joshua Palmer, a reliable option in 2023 and 2024, is expected to see more reps with the first team, while second-year speedster Derius Davis and offseason acquisition DJ Chark may be asked to step into larger roles.
The Chargers also spent a third-round pick on Georgia standout Ladd McConkey, who brings route-running polish and strong hands. McConkey could see immediate snaps in the slot or as an outside threat, depending on how quickly he adjusts to NFL speed.
Justin Herbert’s Trusted Target Returns?
The Chargers are hopeful Williams will return to full strength in time for the bulk of the season. The 6-foot-4 wideout has long been known for his contested-catch ability and deep-ball prowess, traits that are crucial in Harbaugh’s vertically inclined offense. When healthy, Williams is one of the league’s premier jump-ball receivers, capable of altering gameplans.
Williams’ best season came in 2021 when he posted career highs with 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. Despite battling injuries in recent years, his production when available remains high. Over the past three seasons, Williams has averaged 68.3 receiving yards per game — ranking in the top 20 league-wide during that span.
A Career at a Crossroads?
2025 could be a make-or-break year for Williams. Though he restructured his contract in 2024 to help the team’s salary cap situation, he enters the final year of his deal with uncertain future prospects. The Chargers may be forced to make difficult decisions regarding his long-term place on the roster, especially with the development of younger talent and Harbaugh’s emphasis on building through the draft.
If Williams is unable to regain form post-injury, it may open the door for Johnston to take over as the true No. 1 receiver in Los Angeles. On the flip side, if Williams returns to his old self, the Chargers could possess one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the AFC.
Harbaugh Era Begins with Tough Injury Questions
This marks yet another injury hurdle for the Chargers, who have been plagued by health setbacks in recent seasons. With a new coaching staff led by Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the hope is that improved conditioning and scheme adjustments can reduce such occurrences.
Still, the Chargers face a tough opening stretch in the 2025 schedule, with early matchups against the Chiefs, Ravens, and Dolphins. Williams’ absence — should it extend into the season — could hinder the offense’s ability to keep pace with high-powered opponents.
Around the League: More PUP Moves and Injury Updates
Williams wasn’t the only notable name placed on the PUP list ahead of training camps opening this week. Around the league, teams made similar moves to start camp:
The Buffalo Bills placed rookie defensive end Landon Jackson on the PUP list due to an undisclosed lower-body injury.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins were also placed on the PUP list, each nursing lingering injuries.
Steelers running back Najee Harris was designated as Non-Football Injury (NFI) due to an eye issue that surfaced in offseason training.
Such designations are commonplace this time of year but can become concerning if they linger beyond the first week or two of camp. For now, most teams, including the Chargers, are hoping to err on the side of caution.
What’s Next for the Chargers?
The team will continue evaluating Williams’ status on a week-to-week basis. Training camp practices are set to intensify in early August, and if Williams remains off the field, expect his status for Week 1 to be a storyline throughout the preseason.
The Chargers remain confident in their depth and coaching adjustments, but there’s no denying that a healthy Mike Williams is critical to their offensive success in 2025. Fans and coaches alike will be watching his progr
ess closely as the countdown to the regular season begins.
