October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston returned after missing one game due to a hamstring injury, catching two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown on six targets in the team's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Although rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden's breakout performance overshadowed him, Johnston's snap count and high route participation (93.1%) indicate he is physically healthy and remains a key part of the offense. Facing a quick turnaround against the blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings may limit his downfield opportunities because of
Justin Herbert's limited pocket time. However, the Vikings just allowed
Jalen Hurts to throw three passing touchdowns on Sunday, which suggests their talented secondary still has vulnerabilities. Johnston's steady red-zone involvement keeps his touchdown upside high, balancing his lower floor. RotoBaller ranks Johnston as WR18. He should be considered a WR2/FLEX with significant touchdown upside.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen reminded fantasy managers of his veteran prowess in Week 7, thriving in a positive game script with 11 catches on 14 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown. His elite 30.4% targets per route run show he is quarterback
Justin Herbert's most trusted target. Despite the quick turnaround and facing a talented Minnesota Vikings secondary, Allen's route running and precise timing are exactly what's needed against a blitz-heavy defense. If the Chargers' offensive line struggles again, the game script could lead to more short targets to the veteran, reducing the impact of the Vikings' top-five pass defense. RotoBaller has Allen as WR21. He remains a reliable, high-floor WR2, expected to put up solid numbers even against a tough opponent.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey handled a heavy workload in the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, leading the Bolts in targets for the second consecutive week with 15. McConkey leads the league in total routes run (278) and posted an impressive 28.2% targets per route run last week. He now faces a tough Minnesota Vikings secondary that allows just 26.9 PPR points per game to wide receivers. However, McConkey's reliable and quick routes are an effective counter to the Vikings' blitz-heavy defense, providing
Justin Herbert with an immediate outlet under pressure. His three red-zone targets last week also highlight his growing importance near the goal line. RotoBaller ranks McConkey as WR17. His target share and versatile role make him a solid mid-range WR2 start in all league formats.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal was limited in Week 7, rushing for only 20 yards on nine carries as the Bolts faced a negative game script for most of the day, throwing the ball 55 times. However, he remains the clear lead back, especially since backup running back
Hassan Haskins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday. This week, Vidal faces a Minnesota Vikings run defense that is middle-of-the-pack but showed strength last week by holding Philadelphia Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley to just 2.4 yards per carry. With Haskins out, Vidal is expected to get nearly all the early-down work and see more red-zone opportunities. The Chargers might also focus more on the run game to help reduce the pressure on
Justin Herbert. RotoBaller projects Vidal as RB23, making him a reliable low-end RB2/FLEX option based on volume and potential red zone touches.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert is coming off a career-best performance with 420 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. However, in last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he faced pressure 35 times, highlighting the ongoing pressure he's been under behind a battered offensive line for most of the season. Herbert now faces a top-five Minnesota Vikings pass defense on a short week, which poses an immediate risk because the Vikings run the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL. Still, volume matters: Herbert is the most-blitzed QB in the league and just threw 55 passes. Additionally, the Vikings recently allowed 326 yards and three touchdowns to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Jalen Hurts. Key offensive linemen Joe Alt (ankle), Trey Pipkins (knee), and Jamaree Salyer (knee) all practiced in some capacity this week and are listed as questionable for Thursday's game. If they play, protection could improve enough to let Herbert continue airing it out in a must-win situation. RotoBaller projects Herbert as QB11. He remains a locked-in QB1 due to his high passing volume and playmaking ability.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings defense/special teams will face tough circumstances in Week 8 when they travel to play the Los Angeles Chargers on short rest for this week's Thursday Night Football game. Minnesota is still pressuring quarterbacks on 29% of dropbacks, which is one of the highest rates in the NFL, but its defense surrendered several long passes last week against Philadelphia, and now will play
Justin Herbert, a top-10 fantasy quarterback so far this season. Though Minnesota has still rushed the quarterback well without Andrew Van Ginkel (neck), the Week 8 situation isn't ideal. Ultimately, it's a road game on a short week against a winning team with a good starting quarterback, so chances are high that managers can find a more favorable fantasy matchup elsewhere.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Following an outsized fantasy performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings kicker
Will Reichard is a mid-tier option with his team facing a Thursday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Reichard is the No. 8 overall fantasy kicker so far in 2025, but largely because of a five-field-goal performance in Week 7 that included a make from beyond 50. However, Minnesota is still starting turnover-happy backup quarterback
Carson Wentz, whose offense scored only one touchdown from six tries last week. Reichard is now 13-for-14 on field goals this year and a capable fantasy kicker, but managers should try to find a higher-volume option with a better matchup this week.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
With the Minnesota Vikings set to travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers this Thursday, tight end
T.J. Hockenson is a solid TE2 option with some additional upside. The downside for the big tight end is that he's clearly the team's third option behind two stellar receivers,
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison, and will be reliant upon backup quarterback
Carson Wentz. The positive part is he's still averaging 6.5 targets per game with Wentz, including one red-zone target per week. The Chargers have been strong against fantasy tight ends, but are still allowing points on 46% of opposing drives -- one of the worst rates in the league -- and just surrendered 281 total receiving yards to Indianapolis last week. With the Chargers' foremost concerns likely centered around stopping the run and the Vikings' receivers, Hockenson could have a handful of key chances to do some damage.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Superstar wide receiver
Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings has an outstanding matchup and should be viewed as a top-tier WR1 against the floundering Los Angeles Chargers defense in this week's Thursday Night Football game. The Chargers are giving up points on more than 46% of drives, which ranks 28th in the league, and were just ransacked by the Indianapolis Colts' pass-catchers, who piled up a whopping 288 yards in a Week 7 rout. Minnesota will be stuck starting backup quarterback
Carson Wentz for another week, though the veteran QB is still putting up solid yardage numbers and has peppered Jefferson with double-digit targets three games in a row. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 overall receiver heading into Week 8, managers should start Jefferson in every format.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason has an enticing matchup, but might not have full control of the Vikings' backfield in a Thursday game at the Los Angeles Chargers. Backfield mate Aaron Jones (hamstring) is eligible to come off injured reserve as of this week, had his practice window opened, and is listed as questionable, which is a variable worth watching prior to the game. This week brings a good matchup for any Minnesota rusher as they take on a Chargers defense ranked 28th in yards per carry allowed, 31st in rushing touchdowns allowed, and 29th in expected points added from rushing defense. Mason has earned at least 15 touches in four games in a row, giving him a solid fantasy floor as a steady RB2 option. Ultimately, managers should check back in to see if Jones is active before making a final decision.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Houston Texans tight end
Dalton Schultz (back, shoulder) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Schultz appears to be dealing with a pair of injuries, but that didn't stop him from having success on Monday. He hauled in nine receptions for 98 yards in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Texans are banged up right now, so Schultz could see a heavy workload again this weekend. If he sits,
Harrison Bryant would be asked to pick up the slack during the Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
--Andy WebbSource: Texans PR
October 22, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings will give
Carson Wentz (shoulder) another start at the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, during which fantasy managers should view him as a volatile superflex option. At this point in his career, managers should know what they're getting with the veteran quarterback. Wentz could lead a surgical game-winning drive like Week 5, throw a horrific pick-six (Week 7), be a low-volume game manager (Week 3), or chuck it for 300-plus yards (Weeks 4 and 7). The suddenly struggling Chargers are middle of the pack against fantasy quarterbacks, presenting a decent matchup, though it should be mentioned that Wentz was openly grimacing last week due to the lingering injury to his non-throwing shoulder. He is still throwing to receivers
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison against a defense that has had its fair share of issues, however, so there is a reasonable chance for a big fantasy game. Ultimately, managers will have to gauge their risk tolerance for a gunslinging backup on a short week.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
New York Giants wide receiver
Darius Slayton (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Slayton returning to practice is a good sight considering he has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in Week 5. The fact he was able to get on the practice field at all is a good sign. Fantasy managers will need to monitor his status over the next few days. If active, Slayton could offer some flex value against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.
--Andy WebbSource: Dan Salomone
October 22, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. It has been an injury plagued first half of the season for Mooney who has only played in four games so far. He posted a decent game last week where he hauled in three receptions for 68 yards in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers. His status is worth monitoring throughout the week, but he hasn't been a consistent option when healthy. His absence would likely just mean an increased workload for
Drake London and
Kyle Pitts Sr. for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Raimondi
October 22, 2025
Atlanta Falcons running back
Tyler Allgeier (knee, hip) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. He's a new addition to the injury report as Allgeier is dealing with a few minor issues. Allgeier hasn't done much on the field lately as he rushed for 16 yards on four carries during last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He has seen double digit carries in four games this season, but it hasn't resulted in a ton of fantasy value. Whether he's healthy or not, Allgeier isn't going to have much value while
Bijan Robinson is healthy and running like he has been in the backfield.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Raimondi
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