Chargers’ J.C. Jackson details slow process returning from knee injury
COSTA MESA — When standout cornerback J.C. Jackson landed awkwardly during an individual drill and then limped slowly toward the athletic trainer’s tent on Aug. 4, it prompted one of the few uh-oh moments so far during the Chargers’ training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex.
As it turned out, Jackson’s surgically altered right knee was simply a little sore, as he explained Tuesday, his first public comments since the start of camp on July 26. He needed to give it a rest, a development that wasn’t unexpected and, certainly, wasn’t as serious as it might have appeared.
“It was just a little soreness,” he said. “Things like that are going to happen coming back from a big injury like I had last year. I just needed to take a day or two off for rest and recovery. Now, I’m back and back practicing. I just needed to relax it, let it cool off for a little bit. That was it. Nothing major.”
Jackson’s “big injury,” as he described it, actually was quite serious. He ruptured his patellar tendon while defending a touchdown pass during the Chargers’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 23 at SoFi Stadium. He underwent surgery a few days later and was expected to be out for up to seven months.
Jackson threw himself into the rehabilitation and recovery process, determined to be sound enough to participate in training camp with his teammates. He wasn’t ready to join them for spring practices, but when they arrived in Costa Mesa last month, he was with them in mind, body and spirit.
Until this week, it’s been a slow process, though.
“I’m getting there,” he said. “I’m working my way there.”
There was a short layoff sandwiched around days in which he participated on a limited basis in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 sessions. He also sat out a scrimmage on Aug. 6. But then Monday and Tuesday, he increased his repetitions to the point where it looked like he was on the field far more than in previous weeks.
“I have some good days,” said Jackson, who signed with the Chargers in 2022 as a free agent after four stellar seasons with the New England Patriots. “There’s going to be some good days and some bad days, but I’ve just got to keep working, keep going. It’s going to be a big year for the team, especially with the defense.
“I can’t wait to see what we have.”
The next steps and challenge for Jackson will come during joint practices with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday and Friday in Costa Mesa. Jackson said he won’t play in either of the Chargers’ final two preseason games, including Sunday’s game against the Saints at SoFi Stadium.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I can’t wait to see where I’m at, you know what I’m saying? I get to compete against not only my teammates but now another team. It’s going to be fun. I don’t want to put any projections on myself right now. I’m working each and every day to be ready. If it’s Week 1 or it’s Week 2 or whatever week it is, I’m going to be ready mentally and physically.”
The mental side of the game cannot be overlooked.
“I would say building confidence, it starts in practice,” Jackson said. “You’ve got to build. You’ve got to create good habits on the practice field for it to carry over to the game. We’ve got the best receiving corps and one of the best quarterbacks throwing the ball, so this is how I’m going to build my confidence, just going against these guys. I don’t think I’m going to see a better offensive team than I see every day in practice.”
CAMP UPDATES
Alohi Gilman, who is expected to be a starting safety alongside Derwin James Jr. when the regular season begins on Sept. 10, didn’t practice with his teammates. …
Wide receivers John Hightower and Josh Palmer were dressed in pads but participated in individual drills and not in team drills because of undisclosed injuries. …
The Chargers signed running back Aaron Shampklin (Harvard/Long Beach Poly). …
Derius Davis and Pokey Wilson were joined by Elijah Dotson for kickoff return drills.