Chargers' Jackson 'confused' by healthy scratch call for Week 3

The Los Angeles Chargers made J.C. Jackson a healthy scratch for Sunday's pivotal win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, and the highly-paid cornerback isn't sure why.

"I don't know. What else do they expect me to do?" Jackson told NFL.com's Bridget Condon on Wednesday. "I told coach (Brandon Staley), 'What else do you expect me to do?' I've been doing everything. I came back from my injury pretty fast.

"I've been putting in extra work after practice, even in meeting rooms. The DBs every Friday, we all meet to do extra film and being a good teammate, so I don't know what it is. I'm still kind of confused and still don't have answers to why I'm getting treated like this."

Jackson signed a five-year, $82.5-million deal as a free agent in March 2022, but his first season in L.A. was cut short by a ruptured patellar tendon sustained in Week 7.

Prior to the cornerback's injury, he was struggling to replicate his All-Pro form from his time with the New England Patriots, allowing a career-worst 149.3 passer rating when targeted.

His poor performance continued into this season, giving up one touchdown, six catches on 12 targets, and 19.7 yards per completion. The veteran believes it's because he's still not completely healthy.

"That's exactly what it is, I'm not 100%," he said. "I know that the doctors know that. I'm not 100%, so I'm doing my best. We're giving the team what they want. I'm doing my best, and I don't know what they expect me to do."

Staley said the decision to make Jackson inactive was a "coach's decision," adding that the team "felt like this was the right group for this game."

The Chargers avoided an 0-3 start with a 28-24 victory over Minnesota. The AFC West club will look to continue its momentum at home Sunday versus the Las Vegas Raiders.