Chargers' Mike Williams sustained back contusion, should practice this week

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley announced wide receiver Mike Williams avoided a fracture or muscle injury to his back in the team's Week 18 loss to the Denver Broncos, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper.

Williams is dealing with a contusion and is expected to return to practice later this week.

Los Angeles was locked in as the AFC's No. 5 seed before kicking off against the Broncos in a game without playoff implications. The Chargers will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round Saturday.

Williams has missed four contests this season due to injury. He sprained his right ankle in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks and missed the Chargers' Week 9 and 10 matchups after their Week 8 bye. The 28-year-old returned in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs but aggravated the injury, forcing him to miss the next two games.

The 2017 seventh overall pick caught four passes for 32 yards before exiting against the Broncos, bringing his season totals to 63 receptions, 895 yards, and four touchdowns.