October 23, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers kicker
Cameron Dicker continued his perfect season despite the team's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, successfully converting a 43-yard field goal and all three extra points. Ahead of Thursday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Chargers are projected to score 24 points, indicating a stable environment for kicking opportunities, even if the game may be more defensive due to the short week. Dicker's proven accuracy and the expectation that the high-volume Chargers offense will move the ball effectively make him one of the safest options at the position. RotoBaller has Dicker ranked as K7 this week. He can confidently be started in your lineup.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 23, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris saw his production decline to two catches for 23 yards on two targets last Sunday, overshadowed by the breakout of fellow rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden. Harris remains buried on the depth chart, and facing a quick turnaround against a blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings secondary offers no clear path to fantasy relevance. While coaches may like him, the offense currently has too many established targets, and now with Gadsden's emergence, Harris's participation may be even more limited. Harris should stay on the bench and will only be a desperation, boom-or-bust WR5/6 if a major injury occurs to the team's top three wideouts.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 23, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Nyheim Hines was elevated from the practice squad last week but only played on special teams, with no offensive snaps in the team's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Hines is expected to be elevated once again, especially since fellow running back
Hassan Haskins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's quick turnaround against the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran will likely spell
Kimani Vidal and primarily be used as a pass-catching back during the game. This will be Hines' third elevation from the practice squad, and after Thursday's game, he would need to be signed to the active 53-man roster to play in any more games this season. Hines probably won't see enough volume to matter in fantasy and can be safely kept on the bench.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
October 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden delivered a standout performance in the team's Week 7 loss, with seven catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, earning the TE1 spot for the week. Gadsden recorded the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a game since 1985 and saw a season-high in snap share, route rate, and targets. While repeating his career day may be difficult, Gadsden has clearly secured an important role in this pass-heavy offense. The blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings might favor Gadsden on Thursday, as short-to-intermediate targets will become key check-down options against linebackers in man coverage. RotoBaller projects Gadsden as TE9. With six teams on bye, Gadsden's usage makes him a solid mid-range TE1 or streaming option this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
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
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