Chargers News: J.C. Jackson's Anticipation Grows as Week 1 Approaches
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The Los Angeles Chargers open their new 2023 season this weekend as they welcome the Miami Dolphins to Sofi Stadium. The team finally has a chance to right the wrongs from last season and make a statement early in the year.
The game has some early playoff implications, as whoever wins this matchup will have a leg up in potential seeding down the line. But within this game, the Bolts will also welcome back a key member to the structure of their defense.
Cornerback J.C. Jackson is set to return to the lineup against Miami after being limited last season with injuries. Jackson was the Chargers' big free agent acquisition during the 2022 offseason, but he only played in five games last season.
Naturally, Jackson is jumping at the chance to return to the field. But even he knows he needs to temper his excitement to get back out there with his teammates.
“My presence, me being out there now is showing the team and the organization that I want to play football,” Jackson said.
In the years prior to Jackson joining Los Angeles, he put up incredible numbers while on the New England Patriots. Over a two-year span, Jackson posted 17 interceptions and 98 total tackles.
He never got to show what he could do with the Chargers last year, and now he is determined to prove that he was worth the big contract they gave him. Jackson is a major part of the defense, and the hope is that he can stay healthy this season.
“Honestly, even the team, the doctor is saying I’m way above schedule. So I’m doing things at my pace, not their pace. That’s me showing everybody that I’ve come here to play football. I ain’t come here to do nothing else. I’ve come here to handle business.”
This will be a big season for both Jackson and the Chargers team. They have the tools to succeed, but now they need to go out to prove they belong in the conversation with the other elite AFC teams.
