This week, the Los Angeles Chargers could be without their top two wide receivers against the New York Giants. The franchise placed Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. With rigorous NFL protocols in place to ensure safety, will either Allen or Williams play in Week 14?
Update 12/12/21: According to the Chargers, Keenan Allen is officially out for this game. However, Mike Williams is active and will play against the Giants.
Keenan Allen will not play in Week 14
We can get this one out of the way rather quickly. Allen tested positive for the virus on Monday and was subsequently added to the COVID list. In order to play on Sunday, he needed to provide back-to-back negative tests 24 hours apart and be asymptomatic for 48 hours. It’s unclear which protocol Allen couldn’t meet (or both), but it doesn’t matter as the Chargers ruled him out on Friday.
This is a significant blow to QB Justin Herbert and the offense. Allen has been Herbert’s favorite weapon in 2021, seeing 120 targets, third-most in the NFL. Additionally, he’s played the majority of his snaps from the slot, receiving free releases and more space to operate. Due to defenses having to key on Allen’s ankle-breaking route running from inside, opportunities arose for other players to take advantage on the perimeter.
Mike Williams will play against the Giants this week
Shortly after Allen tested positive, LA deemed Williams a close contact. As a result, he missed practice all week. However, after clearing his five-day mandatory quarantine with negative tests, the Chargers activated him from the COVID list on Saturday. So, unless he suddenly tests positive prior to the game on Sunday, Williams will face the Giants in Week 14.
Although he hasn’t practiced all week, Williams will play a pivotal role on Sunday. With Allen gone, the Giants may stack the box and force Herbert to spread the ball around. TE Jared Cook has been solid, but he is 34 years old. RB Austin Ekeler is a stud in his own right, but that brings added attention. If Williams can’t get going out wide, Herbert’s only other options are Jalen Guyton and rookie Josh Palmer.
Guyton and Palmer have combined for 50 targets, 33 receptions, 457 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Palmer’s played 40.8% of his receiving snaps in the slot to Guyton’s 27.9%. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi seems to like bigger slot receivers, so Palmer should start and play most of his snaps there this week. Meanwhile, Guyton will offer Herbert a speedy deep threat on the outside — though he doesn’t offer much more than that.
The Chargers almost solely run out of 11 (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) and 12 (1 RB, 2 TEs, 2 WRs) personnel. With Allen on the sideline, it’s safe to expect more 12 this week. In that case, the skyscraper that is the 6’8″, 260-pound Donald Parham Jr. will receive more snaps.