Vincent Jackson Likely Out Versus Raiders

Added on Nov 30, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

Vincent Jackson’s long awaited return to the Chargers lineup Sunday night lasted all of three plays. He left the game with a strained calf which will likely keep him sidelined for Sunday’s game versus the Raiders. So, the boost Jackson was supposed to provide to the Bolts depleted receiving corps will be put on hold… again. The disgruntled star’s soap opera season keeps getting stranger by the day.

First, Jackson was hit with a three-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Then a bitter contract dispute carried over into the season causing him to miss the first eight games. He served an additional three-game suspension after signing a one-year tender on October 29th and declared himself ready to go for the Week 12 showdown with Indianapolis.

It’s been reported that he suffered the right calf injury because he was overcompensating for a left calf injury that occurred at practice last Friday. Whatever the case, he’s hurt and his availability is in doubt. At this point, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be able to help the Chargers at all in 2010.

Players utilize training camp and the early part of the season to get their body re-acclimated to the rigors of football. Hamstring tweaks and ankle sprains are common every August and September. Since Jackson was sitting at home until late October it should come as little surprise that he’s not in proper game shape.

Despite a laundry list of injuries to wide receivers, the Chargers haven’t missed a beat and are one of the hottest teams in the AFC. A healthy V-Jax would give MVP candidate Philip Rivers another weapon for his arsenal. However, Jackson is running out of games to make a significant impact.

Source: PFW