RADIO
Justin Herbert Will Attempt to Turn Season Around in Week 8 vs. Rams
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert hopes to jump-start his season out of his bye week. Herbert is the QB32 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 11.7 points per game. The 28-year-old veteran has yet to crack 15 fantasy points, throw multiple touchdowns, or throw for over 230 passing yards in a game this season. Entering Week 8, Herbert is RotoBaller's QB25 in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams defense has allowed the second-lowest yards per pass attempt (6), third-lowest completion percentage (58%), and the fifth-fewest passing yards this season (1,351). It's been a season to forget for Herbert and the Chargers, with a disappointing 0-6 start. He should be out of all fantasy lineups, even superflex, until he turns his season around.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Omarion Hampton Continues Struggling on the Ground
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton has been unable to find much success on the ground lately. Over the last two games, Hampton has carried the ball 21 times for 51 yards, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 4. The 23-year-old is starting to lose touches with a season-low seven carries during the Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Due to his struggles, it seems that the Chargers are going to continue mixing in Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell. It probably won't get better for Hampton against the Rams' defense, which ranks 18th against the run this season. Hampton is ranked as Rotoballer's RB32 and should be viewed as a possible flex play for Week 8.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Quentin Johnston Could Take a Back Seat in Week 8
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston could see a reduced target share during Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Chargers are coming off a bye week and are getting healthy at the wideout position. Both Ladd McConkey and Tre' Harris are cleared to play, which is not good news for Johnston's target share. The 25-year-old hasn't been much of a factor this season anyway, with two receptions over his last two games. The Rams defense is ranked 4th-best in passing yardage, allowing only 186.3 passing yards per game. Johnston will rank as Rotoballer's WR62 and fall into low-end flex territory for this Week 8 matchup.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ladd McConkey Cleared to Return in Week 8
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (concussion) is off the Week 8 injury report and will play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Noah Furtado of The Athletic. The Chargers will also have receiver Tre' Harris available, which is good news for quarterback Justin Herbert as the Bolts look to upset the Rams for their first win of the 2026 season. The 24-year-old McConkey was able to clear the league's concussion protocol after coming off the team's Week 7 bye and will now look to get going in what has been a disappointing campaign so far through seven weeks. McConkey has been banged up and has just 13 receptions on 18 targets for 200 yards and one touchdown in his five games played. He looked like a future star in his rookie season in 2024 with an 82-1,149-7 line, but he regressed in Year 2 and has looked even worse so far in 2026 in L.A.'s dysfunctional offense. In a bad matchup this weekend, McConkey profiles as a WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in point-per-reception leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Noah Furtado
Source: The Athletic - Noah Furtado
Justin Herbert's Fantasy Stock Continues to Fall
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has provided little fantasy value during the team's 0-6 start, with his passing efficiency and touchdown production both falling sharply. After throwing 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 16 games last season, Herbert has five touchdown passes and eight interceptions through six games in 2026. His last three starts have produced just 514 passing yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions, while he has been sacked 13 times across that stretch. Injuries to left tackle Rashawn Slater and center Tyler Biadasz have compounded the problems, and the Chargers rank last in offensive EPA per play (-0.190) while averaging 15 points per game. Los Angeles used its Week 7 bye to review the offense, although Mike McDaniel will remain the play-caller. Herbert has averaged 10.4 fantasy points per game this season and sits at QB25 in Nick Mariano's RotoBaller Week 8 rankings ahead of Sunday's road matchup with the Rams. His production makes him a difficult starting option in conventional one-quarterback leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Practicing Without Restrictions Off Bye Week
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (concussion) was a full participant in the team's first practice of the week as the team comes out of their Week 7 bye. McConkey has been banged up most of the year, previously dealing with a foot injury and then suffering a concussion in the team's Week 6 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The 24-year-old now appears to be as healthy as he's been since the Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, when he had his best game of the year with five catches on seven targets for 82 yards and his only touchdown of the year. Since then, the former second-rounder from Georgia has only eight receptions on 11 targets for 118 yards in four games. Fantasy managers have every right to remain skeptical of McConkey as a starting option for the upcoming Week 8 game against a strong Los Angeles Rams defense, but with better health, he could rebound as the Chargers seek their first win of the 2026 season. If he has another couple of days of setback-free practice, McConkey should be in the clear to play on Sunday.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
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
Derwin James Jr. an IR Candidate After Suffering Hamstring Setback
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring) is now a candidate to land on Injured Reserve after suffering a setback with his hamstring injury, head coach Jim Harbaugh told Noah Furtado of The Athletic. Before the Chargers' Week 7 bye, James missed two consecutive games with his hamstring injury, and now the 30-year-old could miss at least four more games as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams this weekend. Without James, the winless Chargers will be even more vulnerable in the secondary, which is not a great time to face the Rams' offense, even without All-Pro receiver Davante Adams (hamstring). The former 17th overall pick in 2018 from Florida State is no stranger to injury, playing in only five games in his sophomore season in 2019 and missing the entire 2020 campaign due to a knee injury. Elijah Molden, Tony Jefferson, and Genesis Smith should all see more playing time in L.A.'s secondary until James can make his way back.
Source: The Athletic - Noah Furtado
Source: The Athletic - Noah Furtado
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
Kimani Vidal has Deep-League Streaming Value
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has seen an expanded role in the backfield as of late. In Week 6, Vidal carried the ball seven times for 21 yards and hauled in three of his four targets for 19 additional yards. Vidal has seen five or more carries in three straight games and three or more targets in three of his last four contests. He appears to be gaining a steady role in the backfield, which could make him an interesting option against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. There could be some deep league flex value from Vidal for this Week 8 contest.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Keaton Mitchell Could Be Worth Stashing Given Backfield Uncertainty
Across six games in 2026, Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell has recorded 191 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 42 touches. Coming into the year, the 24-year-old was expected to play a backup role behind fellow Chargers back Omarion Hampton. However, Los Angeles has recently shifted to a three-way backfield committee that features Hampton, Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal. Mitchell saw very minimal usage in the Chargers' final game before their Week 7 bye, recording two carries for four yards in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, the Chargers' uncertain backfield roles could create an opportunity for Mitchell to break through as the team's preferred option. In deeper leagues, Mitchell could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into 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
Keaton Mitchell is Seeing Less Usage
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell saw his lowest usage of the season during the Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Mitchell carried the ball twice for four yards in the loss. Before this game, Mitchell had seen five or more carries in four straight games. The Chargers are using a three-back committee, and right now, Mitchell might be the weakest option among the three. Fantasy managers seeking help in Week 7 shouldn't be blamed for moving on from Mitchell. The Chargers are on bye this week and Mitchell hasn't done anything lately to warrant holding him. The 24-year-old hasn't surpassed 15 rushing yards in a single game since Week 4. It might be time to move on to someone else.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
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
