Should Mike Williams execute a comeback pattern?

The Chargers could certainly use him right now, as they are painfully short on players who can strike fear into a defense.

That was evident in their 17-15 loss to Arizona on Monday night, when they had to make do with five Cameron Dicker field goals and consistently fell short in the red zone.

Williams, a lethal threat when he could stay healthy, was released by the Chargers after seven seasons when he became too expensive to keep. He signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets and was recently drafted by Aaron Rodgers for running the wrong route on a crucial play, and now figures to lose some of the spotlight to newly acquired Davante Adams.

Will the Chargers figure out a deal to get Williams back? That may just be online chatter, but it’s certainly worth considering. At 3-3 and 2-1 in the AFC West, they still have plenty of chances. Williams could also end up in Pittsburgh.

Now that Davante Adams has been traded to the Jets, could Mike Williams (18) be available for trade?

(Matt Freed / Associated Press)

Either way, the Chargers need to fix their offensive issues, and quickly. Their receivers gathered in the locker room after the loss for an impromptu position meeting, trying to figure out how they could do better on the other side of Justin Herbert’s precise passes.

“We don’t want to let our guys down,” receiver Joshua Palmer said. “We have to be more consistent with the little things.”

The little things become big things, especially when the ground game is hampered. Establishing the run is a hallmark of Jim Harbaugh and coordinator Greg Roman’s offense, but the Cardinals loaded up to stop that and the Chargers averaged just 2.7 yards per carry.

It’s in those moments that the game should click, especially with a quarterback as talented as Herbert, but the Chargers were unable to get any rhythm going.

There were falls and deflections and several missed opportunities. It doesn’t help that the group is missing Quentin Johnston, DJ Chark Jr., Derius Davis and Hayden Hurst, all injured.

And they let go another starter, six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen, who now plays for Chicago.

Herbert did it against the Cardinals, leaning on a collection of lesser-known players, best exemplified by Will Dissly, an under-the-radar tight end who caught eight passes for 81 yards, both game highs. He entered Monday night with 13 catches in five games.

After a few drops early in the game, Chargers rookie Ladd McConkey got into the flow and finished with five catches. However, the visitors rarely ventured into the red zone and when they did, they did not take full advantage of it.

There were a few mind-bending plays early on that the Chargers had to overcome. On Arizona’s first possession, Kyler Murray’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and defensive lineman Teair Tart intercepted the deflection – only to immediately give the ball back to the Cardinals as the ball was taken from his grasp.

The Chargers’ Jalen Reagor (89) catches a 41-yard pass past the Cardinals’ Starling Thomas V before rumbling into the end zone for a touchback.

(Matt York/Associated Press)

A few minutes later, Herbert connected on a deep pass with Jalen Reagor, who was about five yards from scoring before the ball was knocked out of his hand as he tried to cross the goal line. The fumble rolled around the pylon and out the side of the end zone for a touchback, giving the Cardinals possession at the 20.

“It’s the details of lockdown, whether you’re an offensive or defensive player,” Harbaugh said. “We just have to keep emphasizing it. If you fumble near the goal line, god, the ball should be in the other arm. … The experience of these types of games puts the steel in your spine.”

Herbert did what he could. He spread the passes to nine receivers, seven of which traveled at least 31 yards. However, there is a difference between moving the ball between the twenties and operating effectively in that compact area around the goal line.

The Cardinals, near the bottom of the rush defense, loaded up to stop the run — and they did — and the Chargers didn’t make them pay for that commitment. The passing game was more cosmetic than consistent, aside from setting up those field goals.

This team can’t rely on Dicker alone. Hands are also needed.