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Ladd McConkey to Wear Flak Jacket, Pushing to Play
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (rib) is expected to wear a flak jacket if he plays in Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport adds that McConkey, who is listed as questionable with a cracked rib, is "pushing to play," and the team is optimistic that he'll be active, barring a setback. The 24-year-old had five catches for 82 yards and one touchdown before exiting early during last week's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He reminded everyone of his status as Justin Herbert's favorite target, consistently making big plays when called upon. The Georgia product is usually a low-end fantasy WR1, but managers should temper expectations this week and assume that the lingering injury will put him more in the WR2 tier.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Tre' Harris on Deep-League Flex Radar vs. Raiders in Week 2
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Tre' Harris offers intriguing upside on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Harris could be forced into the WR2 role with Ladd McConkey (ribs) being listed as questionable. McConkey exited Week 1 after taking a big hit and was held out of practice until participating in a limited amount on Friday. Harris enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's PPR WR70 in a favorable matchup against the Raiders' secondary. Raiders defense allowed 220 passing yards and five 20-plus-yard passing plays to a shaky Miami Dolphins passing game last week. This could be the opportunity Harris stockholders have been waiting for to see their fantasy investment break out in an expanded role. Harris is a viable flex option in deeper leagues and carries an unknown ceiling heading into Week 2.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Quentin Johnston Could Be in Line for Bigger Target Share vs. Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston could see more targets on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The team could be forced to depend on Johnston as their WR1 with Ladd McConkey (ribs) officially questionable. McConkey exited Week 1 after taking a big hit and was held out of practice until participating in a limited amount on Friday. Johnston enters Week 2 as RotoBaller's PPR WR39. The 25-year-old will face a Raiders secondary that allowed 220 passing yards and five 20-plus-yard passing plays to a shaky Miami Dolphins passing game last week. Johnston could find himself being targeted often downfield on vertical routes. He is a viable flex option for managers and carries high upside heading into Week 2.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Ladd McConkey Officially Questionable to Play in Week 2
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) is officially listed as questionable to play in his team's Week 2 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. McConkey was forced to exit early from his team's Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals after absorbing a big hit while trying to make a catch over the middle. The 24-year-old did not practice on either Wednesday or Thursday of this week, but he was able to get back out on the practice field on Friday. McConkey was having an encouraging game against Arizona before getting injured, recording five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. It seems possible that McConkey's status may not be determined until Sunday, so fantasy managers will need to check back as more updates are released. If McConkey is unable to play, Chargers wideouts Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris could both be in line for an increase in target share.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey Returns to Practice Friday
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (rib) was back on the field at Friday's practice, according to Kris Rhim. McConkey did not practice Wednesday or Thursday after leaving the season opener against Arizona with the injury. He had five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown before exiting late in the third quarter. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has called McConkey day-to-day, and Friday was the first encouraging step after two straight absences. The Chargers had not yet released his final practice participation or game designation at the time of this update. McConkey still has some uncertainty around him for Sunday against Las Vegas, but getting back on the field Friday keeps him in the mix to play.
Source: Kris Rhim
Source: Kris Rhim
Ladd McConkey Missing From Practice Again on Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (rib) was working off to the side with a trainer again during practice on Thursday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. McConkey was forced out of the team's Week 1 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and has not practiced yet this week. The Chargers were calling McConkey day-to-day early this week, but with two missed practices under his belt, he is looking more doubtful than likely to suit up for a Week 2 divisional clash against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The 24-year-old's fantasy managers were happy with McConkey's 5-82-1 line on seven targets in the season opener, but they will not be thrilled if he is inactive this weekend. If that is the case and McConkey does not return to practice on Friday, both Quentin Johnston and Tre' Davis would become more interesting as deep-league flex plays against the Raiders. Tight ends David Njoku, Charlie Kolar, and Oronde Gadsden would also likely be more involved in the passing game as the Bolts' offense looks to bounce back from an ugly Week 1 showing against Arizona.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Tre' Harris Could Have Bigger Opportunity With Teammate Injured
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris and the Chargers' offense surprisingly struggled to move the ball consistently in their Week 1 season-opening upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Harris caught half of his six targets on the day for just 20 yards and was held out of the end zone in the first game of his sophomore season in 2026. The good news for the former second-rounder from Mississippi is that he played a healthy 75% of the offensive snaps (just two fewer than Quentin Johnston). The 24-year-old pass-catcher has become an interesting waiver-wire option at receiver heading into a Week 2 divisional tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders, primarily because top wideout Ladd McConkey (rib) is currently questionable after missing Wednesday's practice. If McConkey is not cleared to play this weekend, Harris will have a significantly bigger role alongside Johnston and could be worth a flex play in deeper fantasy leagues. Harris caught 30 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown on 43 targets in 17 games as a rookie in 2025.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Quentin Johnston's Fantasy Stock Gets a Boost
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston didn't do much with his six targets in Week 1, catching two passes for 17 yards in the loss to Arizona. The situation around him has changed since then. Ladd McConkey left in the third quarter and is now listed with a rib injury after sitting out Wednesday's practice. Johnston was already playing a big role, logging 43 offensive snaps, 78% of the Chargers' total, and his six targets tied Tre' Harris for second on the team behind McConkey's seven. That opens the door for more work, though Johnston isn't alone. Harris played 41 snaps and drew the same number of targets in the opener. That's enough to keep expectations in check, especially after Johnston managed just 17 yards on his Week 1 chances. Still, his path to more volume is clearer than it was a week ago. With McConkey's status uncertain heading into Sunday's game against Las Vegas, Johnston's fantasy stock has gotten a noticeable bump.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Misses Wednesday's Practice
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) did not practice Wednesday, according to Alex Insdorf. McConkey is still considered day-to-day after getting hurt during Sunday's loss to Arizona, when he caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the third quarter. Earlier reporting indicated the injury was not believed to be significant, but sitting out the first practice of Week 2 leaves his availability against Las Vegas unsettled. McConkey and Quentin Johnston remain the Chargers' starting receivers, with Tre' Harris among the options behind them. Los Angeles is already without Keandre Lambert-Smith, who landed on injured reserve Tuesday. There is still plenty of time for McConkey to get back on the field before Sunday, so Wednesday's absence alone isn't reason to panic. His status Thursday and Friday should give fantasy managers a much better idea of whether he can play in Week 2.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Signing with Chargers
According to Jeremy Fowler, the Los Angeles Chargers are signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad on Tuesday. The veteran wideout was with the Dallas Cowboys during training camp, but he didn't make the final roster. He has bounced around the league in the past few seasons, but he could still provide depth to this roster. The Chargers could need another wideout with Ladd McConkey (rib) considered day-to-day right now. If he misses Week 2, Valdes-Scantling could be elevated to the active roster, but it's unlikely he'd do much during his first week with the organization. Fantasy managers can ignore MVS for the moment.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Chargers Place Keandre Lambert-Smith on Injured Reserve
The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Tuesday that they placed wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) on Injured Reserve and signed receiver Gary Jennings in a corresponding move. Lambert-Smith injured his hamstring in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and will now be forced to miss at least the next four games. The earliest he will be eligible to return to the Chargers' active 53-man roster will be for the Week 6 divisional clash against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 18. With top wideout Ladd McConkey (rib) also banged up coming out of the season opener, the Bolts could be down to Quentin Johnston and Tre' Smith as their top receivers this weekend for a Week 2 tilt against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Lambert-Smith did not play a single snap on offense on Sunday before getting injured.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers Working Out Marquez Valdes-Scantling Amid WR Injuries
The Los Angeles Chargers are working out free-agent veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Tuesday, sources told Jordan Schultz. The two-time Super Bowl champion was with the Dallas Cowboys during training camp this summer before being released, and he has 219 catches, 3,686 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns in his eight-year NFL career. He played in 10 games (one start) last year with the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers and caught 14 of his 29 targets for only 120 yards and one touchdown. The Chargers are seeking a little more WR depth going into their Week 2 divisional tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday after top wideout Ladd McConkey (rib) suffered a rib injury that has him listed as day-to-day this week. Additionally, Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) is expected to miss some time after getting hurt in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Chargers' top wideouts this Sunday will likely be Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris if McConkey is not cleared to suit up.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Ladd McConkey to Be Evaluated This Week, Not Believed to Be Significant
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey will be evaluated this week after leaving Sunday's loss to the Cardinals with a rib injury, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. McConkey was originally listed with a chest injury, but further reporting has indicated an acute rib issue, and Rapoport notes it is not believed to be significant, adding that the third-year wideout is considered "day-to-day" and noting that it's an injury that can be played through. McConkey caught five of seven targets for 82 yards and a touchdown before exiting in the third quarter, and he appears to be a focal point of Mike McDaniel's offense. Los Angeles hosts the Raiders in Week 2, and fantasy managers will need to monitor McConkey's status throughout the week, as he boasts low-end WR1 upside if he's able to suit up.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Brenen Thompson A Waiver-Wire Flier in Deep Leagues
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson saw only 10 snaps and was held off the stat sheet in his first career game, but with Ladd McConkey (rib) day-to-day with a rib injury, he is a player to at least consider on waivers in deeper leagues. As an undersized field-stretcher, Thompson is unlikely to command an every-down role even if McConkey is unable to suit up against the Raiders. Still, his big-play potential could be leaned on, and he has the opportunity to work his way into three-receiver sets alongside Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris. At RotoBaller's WR103, Thompson is not a player that needs to be actively targeted on waivers, but he is deserving of flier consideration in leagues with big-play bonuses.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Day-to-Day With Rib Injury, Week 2 Status in Question
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (rib) is dealing with a rib injury and is considered day-to-day, head coach Jim Harbaugh told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Chargers say they want to see how McConkey feels this week before determining his availability for the Week 2 divisional clash against the Las Vegas Raiders. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that McConkey's status is up in the air against the Raiders. McConkey's availability for this Sunday's game against the Raiders will likely come down to how much he can do in practice, so fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status from Wednesday through Friday. It is ultimately good news for fantasy managers, but it does not mean that the 24-year-old former second-rounder from Georgia will be cleared to play in Week 2. Before injuring his rib on Sunday in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals, McConkey caught five of seven targets for a team-high 82 yards and his first touchdown of the year. McConkey was primed for a rebound in the 2026 campaign going into Week 1 in new coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme before injuring his rib. If McConkey cannot play this weekend, Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris would be in line to serve as quarterback Justin Herbert's top wideout options.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
