Donte Jackson

Jackson, who was questionable headed into Sunday, will miss this game with a hamstring injury he suffered before the team’s Week 7 bye. The Bolts will also be without Derwin James, who was recently placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The Chargers defense is beat up headed into this matchup with Matthew Stafford and the Rams.

Assuming Bo Nix is actually willing to throw at his wideouts over the middle this week, Los Angeles’ lack of defensive back depth looks tempting for Nix in a rebound spot.

Derwin James was also held out because of a hamstring injury. He is considered week-to-week. We don’t anticipate him suiting up on Sunday. A DNP for Jackson puts him on the wrong side of questionable as well. LA’s secondary will be an easy target for Bo Nix as he looks to bounce back from a lackluster Week 4.

The Chargers signed Jackson to a two-year, $13 million contract this offseason. He is competing for one of the two perimeter cornerback roles, with Kristin Fulton now a Kansas City Chief.

Jackson was a part of the trade that sent Diontae Johnson to the Panthers last offseason. Jackson forced a career-high five interceptions last season, but earned a PFF coverage grade of 46.2 — the lowest mark of his career. Opposing receivers posted a receiving line of 36-473-3 on 60 targets when matched up against Jackson last season and excelled against him after the catch. Kristian Fulton, who played the second most snaps of any corner on the Chargers last season was on a one-year deal and is no lock to return this offseason. Jackson could very well be tasked with replacing Fulton on his new deal.

Jackson went down in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and did not return to the field. The veteran corner was ruled out at the start of the second half and was replaced by James Pierre. Jackson was acquired by the Steelers over the summer in a trade that sent Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. He has started all 14 games he’s appeared in this season, earning a PFF coverage grade of 50.4 while allowing 32 receptions for 396 yards and three touchdowns.