MIKE WILLIAMS NEWS

Only two catches against Eagles Williams caught two of five targets for 58 yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Eagles.

Impact The fifth-year receiver finished second on the Chargers in targets, but he was far below Keenan Allen's 13. Williams has seen exactly five targets in three straight games, resulting in only six catches for 104 yards -- a slump he'll look to snap in Week 10 against the Vikings.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Another disappointing day Williams caught two of his five targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Patriots.

Impact Two straight difficult defenses have baffled the Chargers offense and Williams has bared the brunt of the struggles. One game after a dismal two catches, 27 yards against the Ravens, the Patriots were able to scheme an effective strategy for Williams, holding the big-bodied wideout to yet another dismal performance. While fantasy managers are obviously disappointed in the slump, Williams has proven to be a staple of an effective Chargers offense, a qualifier that figures to re-appear against an Eagles defense that has struggled against good opposing offenses this season.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down by Ravens Williams (knee) caught two of five targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 34-6 loss to the Ravens.

Impact Williams was quiet throughout, but his first catch was a big one, as it went for 26 yards and set up a one-yard Jared Cook touchdown catch on the next play. Little went right for the Chargers in general, as nobody on the team exceeded 50 yards rushing or receiving, so it's hard to tell how much of a role the knee injury Williams has been nursing played in his ineffectiveness. He spent much of the fourth quarter on the sidelines, but Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times believes Williams was being held out as a precaution given the game's blowout nature. The banged-up wide receiver will get an opportunity to heal further during the Chargers' Week 7 bye.

OCTOBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Active for Sunday's game Williams (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Though the wideout, who was dealing with some knee swelling after Week 5 action, didn't practice this past week and was listed as questionable for Sunday's contest, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler relays that coach Brandon Staley indicated that the Chargers "just tried to be careful with (Williams) this week at the beginning of the week, make sure that he's feeling his best for Sunday." While it remains to be seen if Williams is able to handle his normal snap allotment versus Baltimore, as long as his knee holds up he should continue to see his share of targets from QB Justin Herbert.

OCTOBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Should play against Ravens Williams (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, is expected to play, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Despite failing to practice during the week, Williams is seemingly trending in the right direction for the Week 6 matchup. As long as he avoids a pregame setback, he'll be able to take the field and will look to build on his league-leading six touchdown catches. Confirmation on Williams' availability should come approximately 90 minutes prior to the game's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, when the Chargers release their inactive list.

OCTOBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable for Sunday Williams (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Impact Williams didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday and then wasn't spotted at Friday's session either, but it looks like the Chargers are inclined to take a decision on the wideout's Week 6 availability down to game day. In any case, with the team kicking off against Baltimore at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Williams' status will be clarified prior to the first wave of kickoffs this weekend. If he ends up out or limited for the contest, added snaps behind Keenan Allen would be available for Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer, and to a lesser degree KJ Hill.

OCTOBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not seen at practice Friday Williams (knee) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact We'll have to see how the Chargers list Williams on Friday's final injury report, but given that the wideout didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday, his status for Sunday's game against the Ravens is cloudy. If Williams is out or limited this weekend, Jalen Guyton, Josh Palmer and perhaps KJ Hill would be in line to see added Week 6 opportunities behind Keenan Allen.

OCTOBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Thursday Williams (knee) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact After logging a DNP on Wednesday, the starting wideout's status will need to be monitored closely as Sunday's game against the Ravens approaches. If Williams ends up limited or out for the contest, added snaps behind Keenan Allen would be available for Jalen Guyton, Josh Palmer and perhaps KJ Hill.

OCTOBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out Wednesday with knee issue Williams was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice due to a knee injury.

Impact Williams logged 58 of the Chargers' 75 offensive snaps in Sunday's 47-42 win over the Browns, catching eight of his 16 targets for 165 yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers didn't suggest that Williams sustained a major injury in that contest, so it's possible he's just getting some maintenance for his knee heading into this weekend's contest against the Ravens. That being said, fantasy managers will still want to track Williams' activity in practice over the next two days to ensure he's on a path to play in Baltimore.

OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Another impressive outing Williams caught eight of his 16 targets for 165 yards and two touchdowns in the 47-42 win over the Browns on Sunday.

Impact Williams snared a 72-yard reception early in the second quarter, setting a new career high in the process, but that was hardly his only big play Sunday. Benefitting from a career-high 16 targets, Williams peppered the Browns defense throughout most of the afternoon before capitalizing on a bit of blown coverage for a 42-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, his third 40-plus yard reception in three games. It's clear by now the Joe Lombardi offensive system has unlocked a different level to Williams' game, and the 27-year-old should be a guaranteed starter for fantasy managers moving forward.

OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mike Williams' best plays from 2-TD game ' Week 5 Watch Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams' best plays from 2-TD game during Week 5 of the NFL 2021 season.

OCTOBER 10, 2021 • NFL.COM

Just one catch Williams caught just one of four targets for 11 yards in Monday night's 28-14 win over the Raiders.

Impact Williams caught at least seven passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in each of his first three games entering Monday, so his mere one grab certainly fell well short of expectations. In his defense, though, Williams was badly missed by quarterback Justin Herbert on a wide-open deep pass early on, being overthrown for what would've been a substantial gain. With hardly anything to show for his Week 4 performance, Williams will strive to get back on track with a bigger impact Sunday against the Browns.

OCTOBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

NFL, Raiders aware Chargers' Mike Williams has proved to be big problem for defenses Chargers' Mike Williams will have a chance to showcase his updated, upgraded version of himself against the Raiders on Monday in Las Vegas.

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Mike Williams gets plenty of separation for third TD in as many weeks Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams gets plenty of separation for third TD in as many weeks.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • NFL.COM

Every Mike Williams catch from 122-yard game ' Week 3 Every Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams catch from 122-yard game during Week 3 of the 2021 season.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • NFL.COM

Another touchdown in loss Williams corralled seven of his 10 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact Williams actually led the team in targets, once again connecting with Justin Herbert on a number of critical attempts. The 2017 first-round pick now has a touchdown in back-to-back weeks after scoring just five in all of 2020, and this one -- a nifty 12-yard catch and run -- is simply not a play we've seen Williams be able to make throughout his career. The 26-year-old has notoriously struggled against the Chiefs, but given the type of workload the big-bodied wideout is seeing week-to-week, it's hard to imagine his production falling off significantly against the divisional opponent in Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mike Williams uses entire 6-foot-5 frame for TD dive after juking CB Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams uses entire 6-foot-5 frame for touchdown dive after juking cornerback.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • NFL.COM

Notably spry in win Williams caught eight of his 12 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-16 win over Washington.

Impact Williams looked noticeably more spry, nimbly breaking out of routes particularly on the isolated touchdown reception. Multiple drops in the third quarter stalled an otherwise productive offensive drive so it wasn't a pristine game from Williams, but it was easily his best contest with Justin Herbert under center who time and again looked to the big target in crucial chain-moving situations. Another solid game could be on tap as the Chargers face the Cowboys' porous defense in Week 2.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Williams (hip) participated in practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Williams had been held out of practice since mid August with a hip flexor, but the injury never seemed serious. It's fair to say that as this point, all systems are go for the big-bodied wideout ahead of the team's opener Sept. 12 against Washington.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Does individual work Williams (hip) has been able to participate in individual drills of late, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact The report adds that Williams, who had missed extended time due to a hip flexor, could amp up his practice activity next week. Given that he's not practicing fully at this stage, it's safe to assume that Williams won't participate in the team's final preseason contest, Saturday against Seattle. Beyond that, Williams, who's locked in as a starting wide receiver for the team along with Keenan Allen, will focus on being ready for the Chargers' regular-season opener against Washington on Sept. 12.

AUGUST 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Williams (hip) took part in practice Wednesday, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Williams had been dealing with a hip flexor, but his return to the field puts him in position to potentially suit up for the Chargers' preseason finale Saturday against the Seahawks. When available, Williams is entrenched as a starting wide receiver for the team along with Keenan Allen.

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not at practice Williams (hip) isn't practicing Tuesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Williams didn't practice last week and isn't ready to return after missing the Chargers' first two preseason games. He's unlikely to play in the third, but still has some time before the regular-season opener Sept. 12 at Washington. Coach Brandon Staley said Williams' injury is a hip flexor.

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined at practice Coach Brandon Staley said Williams (hip) won't participate in practice this week, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Impact Williams had an early exit from practice last Wednesday and hasn't seen any drills in the meantime with what Staley has termed a hip flexor. With no on-field reps imminent for Williams, he seems poised to miss a second straight exhibition Sunday against the 49ers. In fact, it may be tough for him to see any preseason action at all until he gets back on the practice field.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice with hip flexor Coach Brandon Staley relayed that Williams is dealing with a hip flexor, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact As a result, Williams, who didn't finish practice Wednesday, will sit out Thursday's session, according to Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times. That would make it seem unlikely that the wideout will see action in Saturday's preseason contest against the Rams.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Headed for breakout? Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi predicted Tuesday that Williams should have "nice numbers" in 2021, Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Williams hasn't lived up to his status as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft, but he's at least been useful as a big-play threat, and he now has arguably the best chance of his career to tack on more volume. Already lacking a reliable No. 3 receiver, the Chargers lost top tight end Hunter Henry (93 targets in 2020) to the Patriots this offseason, replacing him with 34-year-old Jared Cook (60 targets for the Saints in 2020) in what could be a prolific passing offense. Quarterback Justin Herbert averaged 39.7 attempts and 289.1 yards per game last season, but Williams didn't really benefit, as a bunch of the deep throws went to the Chargers' third and fourth wideouts (Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson). Meanwhile, Henry, Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler dominated short and intermediate targets. Williams could take a slightly bigger chunk of both route types this season, which would portend well for a breakout in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

JUNE 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE