RADIO
Mike McDaniel to Remain Chargers' Offensive Play-Caller
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will keep his play-calling duties, even though the offense has averaged just 15.0 points per game and ranks last in the NFL in EPA per play through six contests. His status had been uncertain after the Chargers fell to 0-6 with a 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, prompting head coach Jim Harbaugh to evaluate every aspect of a struggling offense. Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday, according to Ari Meirov, that McDaniel will retain those duties following the Week 7 bye and keep directing quarterback Justin Herbert when the Chargers face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, still seeking their first victory. Harbaugh has discussed potentially simplifying the playbook to improve execution, although no specific adjustments have been announced.
Source: Ari Meirov
Source: Ari Meirov
Ladd McConkey Is Back on the Practice Field in a Non-Contact Jersey
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (concussion) participated in Monday's unofficial bonus practice wearing a non-contact jersey following the Chargers' Week 7 bye, an encouraging sign for his recovery. He remains in the league's concussion protocol but is expected to practice Wednesday, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh, via Alex Insdorf. McConkey suffered the injury during Los Angeles' Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, finishing with one reception for 17 yards before exiting. Keandre Lambert-Smith drew a team-high nine targets against Kansas City and could remain heavily involved if McConkey is unable to play. His actual Wednesday participation level has not yet been confirmed, however, and he still needs medical clearance before returning for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Tre' Harris Offers Upside From the Waiver Wire
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris showed off his potential earlier this season, but he went down with a hamstring injury in Week 5 and missed Week 6. After a Week 7 bye, Harris could be ready to return and resume what looked like it could be a breakout season. He had three straight games with 50+ yards before his injury, with 10 catches on 15 targets in that three-game span. Harris could end up in a larger role if the Chargers trade away receivers at the deadline, but even if he remains behind Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey on the depth chart, he has shown enough potential to be a deep-league option from the waiver wire. He can be a speculative pickup headed into Week 8, and watch the early injury reports this week to see if he and McConkey are ready to return from their injuries as the Chargers take on the Rams in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Present at Monday's Practice
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (concussion) returned to the team's unofficial practice on Monday as they come out of their bye week, according to Noah Furtado of The Athletic. McConkey was in a non-contact jersey and was likely limited, but it is a good sign as he works his way through the league's concussion protocol after he suffered a head injury in the team's Week 6 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. We will not have a clearer picture of McConkey's status for a Week 8 contest against the Los Angeles Rams until the Chargers release their first official injury report of the week on Wednesday. The Bolts certainly need the 24-year-old former second-rounder back this weekend as they look to win their first game of the 2026 season. Because of the Chargers' struggles in Mike McDaniel's offense this year, McConkey has become a hard-to-trust flex play in fantasy lineups, especially while dealing with injuries. He has recorded only 13 receptions on 18 targets for 200 yards and one touchdown in his first five games, with 82 of those yards and his only TD coming in the Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. In his last two contests, McConkey has left fantasy managers out to dry, catching one of his three targets for 17 yards.
Source: The Athletic - Noah Furtado
Source: The Athletic - Noah Furtado
Quentin Johnston a Drop Candidate Going into Chargers' Bye
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, like the rest of the Chargers' offense, has failed to produce through the first six weeks of the 2026 season. The 25-year-old former first-rounder from TCU has caught just eight of his 22 targets for 165 yards in five games and has not found the end zone yet. Los Angeles' struggles on offense have offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel on the verge of getting fired. For the second straight week, Johnston caught just one pass on three targets for a season-high 57 yards in Sunday's 22-6 loss on the road to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. He has seen only five targets in his last two games after seeing a combined 17 targets in the first three games of the season. Johnston had eight touchdowns each in 2024 and 2025 for the Chargers, but he has yet to get on the board and has not improved his chemistry with struggling quarterback Justin Herbert at all. The Chargers are considering simplifying their offense during their Week 7 bye, but Johnston just cannot be trusted in starting lineups until further notice. Johnston is currently rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues, with that number continuing to drop.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ladd McConkey Ruled Out with Concussion
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest due to a concussion. McConkey would draw just one target before exiting the game, and caught it for 17 yards. In addition to this new injury, the Georgia product has dealt with a foot injury for much of the opening weeks. While it did not limit him leading up to Week 6, McConkey was unable to log any snaps in their Week 5 loss to the Broncos. Managers should watch his status, but McConkey will have ample time to clear concussion protocol since the Chargers are off in Week 7. Quentin Johnston is expected to lead the passing attack for the remainder of Sunday's contest.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Quentin Johnston Off the Fantasy Radar in Week 6 vs. Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston (chest) is off the injury report and will play in his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it is unknown if Johnston will see a snap count on Sunday. Johnston was out last week because of his chest injury but logged two limited practices and finished the week as a full participant. The 25-year-old enters Week 6 as RotoBaller's PPR WR48 in a tough matchup against division rival Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs defense has allowed the second-fewest receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this season. Additionally, the Chiefs are coming off their bye week, giving them a week of rest and extra time to game plan for a struggling Chargers offense. Johnston should be left out of fantasy lineups in Week 6, and he could become a cuttable fantasy player after this week if he produces another dud outing.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Can Ladd McConkey Be Trusted in Week 6 vs. Chiefs?
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey (foot) is off the injury report and will be active for his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it's unknown if McConkey will be on a snap count on Sunday. McConkey is coming off back-to-back zero-point outings with a limited snap percentage due to a foot injury. The 24-year-old enters Week 6 as RotoBaller's PPR WR39 in a tough matchup against division rival Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs defense has allowed the second-fewest receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this season. In addition, the Chiefs are coming off their bye week, giving them a week of rest and extra time to game plan for a struggling Chargers offense. McConkey is hard to trust in Week 6 because of a tough matchup and recent foot injuries. As a result, he should be out of fantasy lineups if possible.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Quentin Johnston Will Play in Week 6, Could Face Snap Count
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (chest) is off the injury report and will play in his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, when asked about a potential snap count for Johnston, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh replied, "I don't know," per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged podcast. Johnston has had a rough season even when he's been healthy so far in 2026, recording seven catches for 108 yards on 19 targets across four games. He could have a chance to play a significant role in the Chargers' passing game in Week 6, as fellow wideout Tre' Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out and Ladd McConkey (foot) is playing through a foot injury. Still, Johnston remains extremely difficult for fantasy managers to trust as a starter against the tough Chiefs defense.
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Tre' Harris Ruled Out for Week 6
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out for his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Harris suffered the injury during the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old has flashed upside to this point in 2026, recording 15 catches for 225 yards on 25 targets across five games. However, fantasy managers will now have to wait until at least Week 8 to play him, as the Chargers have their bye in Week 7. While Harris is sidelined against Kansas City, Los Angeles wideouts Ladd McConkey (foot) and Quentin Johnston (chest) are both active and should be the lead options in the passing game for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey Off the Injury Report for Week 6, Could Be on a Snap Count
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) is off the injury report and will be active for his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged Podcast. However, when asked whether McConkey will be on a snap count, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "I don't know." McConkey was active for the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos, but did not play a single snap. The 24-year-old has battled multiple injury issues so far in 2026, recording 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across four games. While McConkey has a chance to be productive against Kansas City, his uncertain health status and the Chargers' struggling offense make him a very risky start for fantasy managers in Week 6.
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Quentin Johnston is Becoming Cut Candidate After Slow Start
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (chest) is hopeful to get back on the field in Week 6, but he hasn't been much of a fantasy option anyway. During his four games this season, Johnston has recorded seven receptions for 108 receiving yards with zero touchdowns. The Chargers' offense has struggled as a whole, but Johnston is giving almost zero value right now. The 25-year-old isn't a must drop player, but fantasy managers in 12-team standard leagues should begin looking for another option. The Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, and then they have a bye in Week 7. It's unlikely that Johnston is going to offer fantasy managers much of anything over the next two weeks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ladd McConkey Practicing on Wednesday
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) will practice on Wednesday, per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged podcast. McConkey is battling a foot injury and was active for the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos, but did not play a single snap. As such, McConkey's practice status this week does not guarantee that he will be back in action in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, it's a positive sign that the 24-year-old is continuing to work his way towards a return to the field. McConkey has been Los Angeles' most productive pass-catcher so far this season, recording 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across four games. If healthy, he profiles as a flex option in three-wide receiver league formats in Week 6.
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Quentin Johnston a Possible Trade Candidate to Watch
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (chest) could be a trade candidate to watch at this season's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Johnston was involved in trade discussions in the offseason, and with the Chargers 0-5, they could revisit those talks soon. The fourth-year receiver has caught just seven of 19 targets for 108 yards in four games this season, which is on pace for a major regression compared with his 2024 and 2025 seasons. The team could also save $16 million next season if they trade the former first-round pick before June 1st. While possible landing spots are unclear at this point, fantasy managers should prepare for a trade involving the receiver.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Chargers Work Out JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday
The Los Angeles Chargers worked out free-agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Quentin Johnston (chest) missed the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sunday, and although Ladd McConkey (foot) was active, he was only available in an emergency situation and did not play a single offensive snap. Injuries to the wideout position continued in Sunday's loss, too, as Tre' Harris left with a hamstring injury and did not return. He is considered week-to-week with a Week 7 divisional tilt on the road coming this Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. With all of the injuries at the position, tight end Charlie Kolar led the Bolts in receiving in the 23-17 loss to Denver. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Theo Wease Jr. were forced into significant snaps last weekend and could be forced to do so again if Harris and Johnston do not play. The 29-year-old Smith-Schuster continues to look for another chance to play in 2026, and it could come in L.A. The former Pro Bowler in 2018 played in 17 games (12 starts) with the Chiefs last year and caught 33 of 45 targets for 345 yards and one touchdown. Smith-Schuster becoming fantasy-relevant in standard 12-team fantasy leagues is likely a long shot if he lands in L.A.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
