RADIO
Oronde Gadsden Not a TE Streaming Option in Week 8 vs. Rams
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden has had a disappointing sophomore season following his impressive rookie year. Gadsden is the PPR TE42 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 4.8 points per game. He's been fantasy-relevant, despite playing with an injury-riddled receiving group in Los Angeles. Gadsden enters Week 8 as RotoBaller's PPR TE32 in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams defense has allowed the second-lowest yards per pass attempt (six), third-lowest completion percentage (58%), and the fifth-fewest passing yards this season (1,351). With the Chargers' receiver room back to full strength, Gadsden will likely get lost in a crowded offense. As a result, Gadsden should be out of fantasy lineups and is not a viable tight end streaming option in Week 8.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Tre' Harris Hard to Trust as Deep-League Flex Versus Rams
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Tre' Harris hopes to continue his mini sophomore breakout season after his bye week. The 24-year-old missed Week 6 with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 5, but is off the injury report heading into Sunday. Harris leads the Chargers in targets (26), receptions (15), and receiving yards (225) this season. The Ole Miss product has made the most of his opportunities with Ladd McConkey missing time, and has carved himself out a role as the unofficial No. 2 receiver in the passing game. Entering Week 8, Harris is RotoBaller's PPR WR64 in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. 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). Harris' mini breakout could pause with Ladd McConkey back to full health. The Chargers' passing game has been anemic and hasn't supported two fantasy-viable pass-catchers this season. Harris is an intriguing fantasy option in deep leagues, but should be out of fantasy lineups in Week 8.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Quentin Johnston Out of Flex Consideration in Week 8 vs. Rams
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston has played his way off fantasy radars again after being a trendy sleeper during draft season. Johnston is the PPR WR90 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 5.0 points per game. In his five games, he hasn't surpassed 7.5 PPR points or had more than three catches in a game. Johnston enters Week 8 as RotoBaller's PPR WR62 in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams defense hasn't allowed a passing play over 40 yards and has allowed the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns this season. Johnston is a big-play-dependent receiver with Ladd McConkey healthy and Tre' Harris becoming the Chargers' No. 2 receiver this season. Johnston should be out of fantasy lineups in Week 8 and off rosters moving forward.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
A Healthy Ladd McConkey Looking to Get Going Coming Off Bye Week
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey is off the injury report after participating fully in practice all week leading up to Week 8. McConkey has been trapped in a loop of unrelated, bad-luck injuries this season. The young star has battled cracked ribs, a foot injury, and a concussion in seven games. His Week 7 bye hopefully gave his body enough time to heal and return to full strength. McConkey enters Week 8 as RotoBaller's PPR WR30 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). However, McConkey is the focal point of the offense, and he could see enough volume to be fantasy-viable on Sunday despite the tough matchup. Managers should view McConkey as a shaky WR3 and a flex option in Week 8.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Will Kimani Vidal Continue to Volume Vulture in Week 8 vs. Rams?
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has turned the Chargers' backfield into a three-man committee, with all three backs seeing a similar number of carries over the last three games. Vidal is second in carries in the committee and has seen almost three fewer carries per game than Omarion Hampton. As a result, Vidal has blipped on deep league radars and has scored 11-plus fantasy points in two games during the three-game stretch. Vidal enters Week 8 as RotoBaller's PPR RB45 in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Per CBS Sports, the Rams defense has allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to the running back position per game through seven games. They've also allowed the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns (4). It will be interesting to see how the Chargers divvy up touches among the three backs coming out of the bye week. Vidal should be viewed as a desperation flex option in deeper leagues in Week 8.
Source: CBS Sports
Source: CBS Sports
Keaton Mitchell a High-Risk Flex option in Deeper Leagues in Week 8
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell has been an ambiguous fantasy asset this season. He's had games as the team's lead back and just as many as a non-factor in the offense. However, Mitchell could get a bye-week bump after Mike McDaniel got an extra week to scheme touches for him. He is a role-dependent player who can be an offensive weapon when schemed up correctly. Entering Week 8, Mitchell is RotoBaller's PPR RB47 in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Per CBS Sports, the Rams defense has allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to the running back position through seven games. They've also allowed the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns (4). Mitchell should be viewed strictly as a long-shot option in deep leagues and should be out of starting lineups in standard-format leagues in Week 8.
Source: CBS Sports
Source: CBS Sports
Omarion Hampton a Flimsy Flex Option in Week 8 vs. Rams
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton hopes to get his sophomore campaign turned around in Week 8, coming off his bye week. Hampton is the PPR RB36 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 9.6 points per game. The 23-year-old was one of the fantasy community's favorite breakout candidates over the summer, and he has been a massive disappointment so far. Entering Week 8, Hampton is RotoBaller's PPR RB32 in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams defense has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns (4) this season, which doesn't bode well for a touchdown-dependent fantasy back. Hampton averages 6.1 points per game in the three games he hasn't scored a touchdown this year. It hasn't been pretty for the second-year back out of North Carolina, and he should be viewed as a low-end flex option in a tough matchup.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
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
