December 27, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal (neck) is inactive for Saturday's contest against the Houston Texans. The second-year running back exited their victory over the Cowboys last weekend with this injury. During the week, Vidal was unable to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday but made progress on Thursday, logging a limited session, suggesting he could be in the mix to return. However, the Chargers will lean on the side of caution and keep him on the sidelines this afternoon. As a result, managers should expect rookie running back
Omarion Hampton to operate as the clear RB1 in the offense while
Hassan Haskins serves as the change-of-pace option. Hampton should be started in all formats as a low-end RB1 given his projected workload despite facing a formidable Houston defense.
--Andy SmithSource: Daniel Popper
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal is in a precarious position heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans. Vidal is officially questionable after sustaining a neck strain last week. He managed a limited practice on Friday but was largely ineffective before exiting the game, posting just 2.2 yards per carry. He continues to be outshined by rookie
Omarion Hampton, who has shown far superior explosiveness and vision. The Texans boast a top-seven rush defense that allows the fifth-fewest rushing yards in the league, making this a brutal environment for a struggling, banged-up back. Even if Vidal is active, his plummeting volume and lack of production make him an impossible start with fantasy titles on the line. He should remain on your bench this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has this unit playing inspired football of late, having just held the high-powered Dallas Cowboys to 17 points to secure a fourth straight win. While the Chargers D/ST lacks the flashy defensive touchdowns that drive elite fantasy scores, they are a dominant real-life unit playing at home in SoFi Stadium on Saturday. They face a Houston Texans offense that, while efficient, ranks only 19th in passing and 23rd in rushing yards per game. This game is shaping up to be a low-scoring battle of field position. Although safety R.J. Mickens (shoulder) is out, the expected return of Elijah Molden and Bud Dupree bolsters the rotation. If you prioritize a high floor and low points allowed, this unit is a solid streaming D/ST with top-10 potential this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers kicker
Cameron Dicker has been the definition of reliable, remaining perfect last week with two field goals and four extra points. However, his Week 17 outlook is tempered by a projected low-scoring affair against the Houston Texans. Both the Chargers and the Texans have ridden elite defenses to recent success, with Houston limiting opponents to just 18 points per game during their seven-game win streak. This matchup has the hallmarks of a defensive slog, which could severely limit the Chargers' ability to move the ball into scoring range. While Dicker's accuracy is never in question, the lack of projected offensive volume caps his ceiling in a week where every point matters. He is a mid-range K1 and ranks K13 in the weekly rankings.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden saw his involvement crater last week, recording just one catch for seven yards on a season-low 3.5% target share. This drop in usage stems from the Chargers prioritizing extra pass protection for their battered offensive line, leaving non-blocking Gadsden on the sidelines for significant stretches. The Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans offers little hope for a rebound. While Houston is occasionally susceptible to tight end touchdowns, they rank top-10 in yards allowed to the position and lead the league in EPA/Pass. With Gadsden's routes and targets trending sharply downward, he cannot be trusted during the most important week of the fantasy season. He should remain on your bench as a low-end TE2.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris saw his opportunities dwindle in Week 16, as his snap share fell from 85% to 46% following
Quentin Johnston's return. While Harris remained efficient with four catches for 54 yards, he is now the third or fourth option in a low-volume passing attack. This Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans is the worst possible environment for a rotational wideout; the Texans allow the fewest passing yards per game and rank second in completion percentage allowed. With Herbert expected to be under heavy pressure, targets will likely be concentrated among the primary starters or dumped off to running backs. Harris lacks the volume and matchup appeal to be a viable fantasy starter. He is a low-end WR5 and should stay on benches.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston reminded fantasy managers of his "boom" potential last week, erupting for 104 yards and a touchdown against the league's worst pass defense. However, his historical consistency remains an issue, and the pendulum swings back toward "bust" territory against the Houston Texans. The Texans are a defensive juggernaut, ranking first in EPA/Pass and second in pressure rate. While Johnston has overcome his groin injury, he now faces a secondary that excels at erasing deep threats and minimizing yards after the catch. In a game where
Justin Herbert will likely be under constant duress, Johnston's high-variance profile makes him an extremely dangerous start in championship week. Unless you are chasing a miracle, the risk outweighs the reward. He is a touchdown-reliant, low-end WR4.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen remains a steady veteran presence, but his fantasy upside is evaporating at the worst possible time. Last week, Allen caught all five of his targets, yet his 47% snap share underscores a concerning trend as he continues to split routes with rookie Tre' Harris. This week's matchup against the Houston Texans is the toughest possible test, as the Texans rank second in completion percentage allowed and third in interception rate. With Houston allowing the fewest passing yards per game and consistently pressuring the quarterback, the aging veteran may struggle to find open windows in a game script expected to be a defensive slog. Fantasy managers in championship matchups should look for higher-upside alternatives. He is merely a low-end WR4/FLEX option this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey returned to the end zone last week, leading the team with six targets, but a repeat performance will be difficult on Saturday against the Houston Texans. Houston's secondary is arguably the best in the NFL, ranking first in EPA/Pass and allowing the fewest passing yards per game. While McConkey remains
Justin Herbert's primary target, the Texans' elite pass rush, which is tied for sixth in sacks, will likely force Herbert into quick, low-ADOT throws. This defensive pressure mirrors the conditions that led to McConkey's recent dud games rather than his productive outing against a porous Dallas secondary. While his target floor remains decent, the matchup significantly limits his big-play potential. He is a touchdown-dependent WR3 for the fantasy finals.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton continues to separate himself as the most dynamic option in the backfield, recording an 85-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys. Averaging 5.3 yards per carry, Hampton was far more explosive than teammate
Kimani Vidal, who is now dealing with a neck injury. Even if Vidal is active, the Chargers are likely to lean on Hampton against a Houston Texans defense that is more vulnerable on the ground than through the air. Houston ranks fifth in fewest rushing yards allowed, but has shown cracks against physical, efficient runners recently. With the Chargers needing to protect
Justin Herbert from Houston's fierce pass rush, a heavy dose of Hampton is expected. He is a high-end RB2/FLEX option for championship week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert enters Week 17 fresh off a massive 300-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys, but fantasy managers should prepare for a steeper climb this Saturday. While Herbert thrived behind a clean pocket last week, he now faces a Houston Texans unit that ranks first in EPA/Pass and second in both completion percentage allowed and pressure rate. The Texans' pass rush, led by Will Anderson Jr., poses a significant threat to a Chargers offensive line that remains in shambles with Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) ruled out. Given that Houston has allowed the fewest passing yards per game, Herbert may need to replicate his recent rushing success to salvage his fantasy floor. Despite his elite talent, the lack of protection and the opponent's lockdown secondary cap his ceiling in the championship round. He is a mid-range QB2 this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 25, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston registered a stellar performance in his return to the field in Week 16, corraling 4-of-5 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown during the team's 34-17 road win against the Dallas Cowboys. The TCU product was inactive for LA's victory over the Chiefs the week prior after popping up on the practice report with a groin injury. Nonetheless, Johnston only missed one appearance and posted his first 100-yard performance of the campaign. While the 24-year-old has seen his production dip from an excellent first month of play, he's remained, at worst, the Chargers' second-leading wideout in terms of snaps on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, consistent production has been hard to find with a myriad of mouths to feed in the team's attack. However, he'll remain on the flex radar with substantial upside, even against a staunch Texans' defense in Week 17.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal (neck) missed his second practice of the week after suffering a neck strain late in the team's Week 16 win over the Cowboys. After undergoing an MRI early in the week, he was considered day-to-day, but he has yet to return to the practice field, putting his availability for a Week 17 matchup with the Texans in question. Vidal had been splitting snaps with
Omarion Hampton since the rookie returned from a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury, but if he is unable to suit up on Saturday, Hampton should see bellcow duties against a tough Houston front. The matchup is not ideal for championship weekend, but Hampton has looked dynamic since returning in Week 14 and could put up low RB1 numbers if he gets the backfield to himself.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Los Angeles Chargers
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Omarion Hampton told ESPN's Dan Graziano that Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys was the "best he has felt" since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for seven games from Week 6 to Week 13. Across three games since returning, the 22-year-old has recorded 227 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 48 touches. The Chargers held Hampton under 25 offensive snaps in each of his first two outings back from injury, but bumped his playing time up to 35 snaps in Week 16 against Dallas. Hampton could be in line for an even larger bump in playing time in Week 17 against the Houston Texans, as fellow Chargers back
Kimani Vidal (neck) is considered day-to-day due to a neck strain. Hampton has been a dynamic player when healthy this season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and 5.1 yards per touch across eight games played. He profiles as a solid fantasy RB2 with upside, even in a tough matchup in Week 17 against Houston.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Dan Graziano
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey bounced back in Week 16 after two quiet outings, leading the team with six targets and finishing with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a much-needed get-right performance, as McConkey reasserted himself as Herbert's primary chain-mover and red-zone option, bringing his season total to six touchdowns. However, Week 17 presents a dramatically tougher matchup against the Houston Texans, who boast one of the league's most suffocating pass defenses. Houston ranks near the top in EPA per pass, completion percentage allowed, interception rate, pressure rate, and total yards allowed. With the Texans generating consistent pressure and limiting downfield opportunities, McConkey may be limited to short-area targets and modest volume, making him a volatile WR3 rather than a dependable fantasy starter.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
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