Jason Verrett‘s season is over. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Chargers cornerback has decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee. The team is expected to place him on the injured reserve.
This is another tough blow for the former first-rounder, as Verrett has been hindered by injuries throughout his brief career. This current injury is attributed to an ACL tear that limited the cornerback to only four games in 2016. Last week, reports indicated that Verrett was experiencing soreness in the knee, although some expected him to return in several weeks. However, we later heard that there wasn’t a definitive timetable for the 26-year-old’s return.
“It was never right in my opinion, just watching him in practice,” coach Anthony Lynn said at the time. “He’s such a competitor. … But he wasn’t able to play to his standard. So we just want him to get healthy.”
Verrett did appear in the team’s season-opening loss to the Broncos, playing nearly every snap for the Chargers. The Texas Christian product flashed his talent during his lone healthy season in 2015. In 14 games (13 starts), Verrett compiled 47 tackles, 12 passes defended, and three interceptions (including one pick-six).
2016 undrafted free agent Trevor Williams has been starting in Verrett’s place opposite Casey Hayward. The team could look to add some depth at the position, as the team is only rostering a pair of reserves in Desmond King and Michael Davis. They could also promote former third-rounder Craig Mager, who is currently on the team’s practice squad.
You can take the Chargers out of San Diego but you can’t take the bad luck out of the Chargers!