Alohi Gilman of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Donald Parham Jr. of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after his receiving touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers and Joshua Palmer of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate after Williams’ receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers is carted off the field during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers watches as Los Angeles Chargers staff help Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers off the field during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Joshua Palmer of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Joshua Palmer of the Los Angeles Chargers and Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate after Palmer’s receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Joshua Palmer of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Joshua Palmer of the Los Angeles Chargers pursues Jordan Hicks of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Camryn Bynum of the Minnesota Vikings tackles Quentin Johnston of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers attempts a pass during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass over Mekhi Blackmon of the Minnesota Vikings and Byron Murphy Jr. of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers attempts a pass during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings steps out of bounds during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr. celebrates after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Chris Rumph II, defensive end Morgan Fox and linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. celebrates after an interception by teammate linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. The Chargers won 28-24. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept.24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins tries to set up a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept.24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert celebrates with wide receiver Keenan Allen after Allen threw a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept.24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept.24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn misses a pass against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept.24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept.24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
MINNEAPOLIS — When the Chargers’ list of inactive players was announced 90 minutes before their 28-24 victory Sunday over the Minnesota Vikings, one name stood out among the others. Cornerback J.C. Jackson was a healthy scratch from the lineup, according to Coach Brandon Staley.
Jackson, an All-Pro cornerback who is the Chargers’ highest-paid player this season with a guaranteed base salary of $12 million, and his fellow defensive backs struggled to contain the opposition in the first two games of the season, especially in Week 1, when Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa threw for 466 yards.
Staley made it clear Sunday it was “a coach’s decision” to sideline Jackson.
“We felt like going into this game that this was the group that we wanted to play with in this game,” Staley said. “We felt like it was going to give us the best chance. That’s what we did today, and I was really proud of the way our defense played together, especially the secondary.”
The Chargers began the game with Ja’Sir Taylor joining cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis and safeties Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman in the secondary. Davis had eight tackles, one behind team leader Kenneth Murray Jr., a linebacker.
Asked about Jackson’s possible return to the cornerback rotation next week, Staley said, “It’s to be determined.”
The Chargers’ 36-34 loss to the Dolphins on Sept. 10 was Jackson’s first game after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in a game last Oct. 23 against the Seattle Seahawks. He underwent surgery to mend a torn right patellar tendon and was limited at times during training camp.
“I feel like I’m improving, physically, yes,” Jackson said last week as the Chargers prepared to face the Vikings. “It’s not in the back of my mind. This is what it is. I’m not letting that stop anything. I’m still working, trying to get better, trying to help the team win each and every week. I’m giving it all I’ve got.”
Linebacker Eric Kendricks (hamstring), running back Austin Ekeler (ankle), offensive linemen Brenden Jaimes and Zack Bailey and defensive lineman Christopher Hinton also were inactive for Sunday’s game. Staley said last week there was no timetable for Kendricks or Ekeler to practice or play again.
MILESTONES ACHIEVED
Quarterback Justin Herbert topped 15,000 yards passing in his 52nd career game in the NFL, the second-fastest in league history behind Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs (49 games). Herbert’s 405 yards passing against the Vikings gave him 15,028 for his career.
In addition, Herbert’s three touchdown passes against the Vikings gave him 100 for his career. Only Mahomes (40 games), Dan Marino of the Dolphins (44) and Kurt Warner of the then-St. Louis Rams (50) have needed fewer games to toss 100 touchdown passes in his career.
INJURY UPDATES
Wide receiver Mike Williams suffered an apparent knee injury after making a catch and a modest gain with 1:45 left in the third quarter. He needed assistance leaving the field and was taken by cart to the locker room. Staley said after the game he had no update on Williams’ condition. … James injured his hamstring in the third quarter, and said after the game, “I’ll know more about it (Monday).”
