October 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen caught four of his five targets for 44 yards in the team's 37-10 win on Thursday night over the Minnesota Vikings. Allen was coming off a vintage performance in Week 7 against the Colts, catching 11 of 14 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown. But the 33-year-old took a backseat to the young Chargers' playmakers in Week 8, with second-year wide receiver
Ladd McConkey leading the way with 88 yards and a touchdown, while rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden continued his emergence with 77 yards and a score. The Chargers played from ahead for the vast majority of this game, leading to the running backs carrying the ball 36 times as they aimed to milk the clock for the most part. The 33-year-old wideout should bounce back in Week 9 as the Chargers face the Titans on the road.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
October 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston did not see a target in Thursday night's 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Johnston has trended in the wrong direction after a remarkable first four games of the season, catching 22 of 36 targets for 337 yards and four touchdowns. The third-year wide receiver missed Week 6, but he has totaled just six catches on 10 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in three games since, with Week 8 marking the low point. It was the first game of his career in which he was held without a target and the third game without a reception. The emergence of rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden has made it difficult for all the Chargers' pass catchers to be involved consistently, and Johnston may be the odd man out. He'll look to bounce back in Week 9 when the Chargers go on the road to face the Tennessee Titans.
--Kyle McCarthySource: ESPN.com
October 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Omarion Hampton (ankle) was seen wearing a walking boot following the team's win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Hampton has required the boot ever since Week 5, when he injured his ankle and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. The rookie was spectacular when healthy, averaging 5.6 rushing yards per carry as the team's primary running back, as well as 5.7 receptions and 0.7 touchdowns per game. Fantasy managers are surely ready for Hampton to return so that he can continue to offer RB1 production, but they may have to be patient given that the rookie still hasn't been able to shed his boot.
Kimani Vidal remains the lead running back in Los Angeles for the time being.
--Andersen PickardSource: Daniel Popper
October 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey caught six of his 10 targets for 88 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. McConkey had a relatively underwhelming start to the season, but he seems to have turned a corner with 27 catches and three touchdowns over his last four games. Since Week 5, he is averaging 18.8 fantasy points per game (PPR), which ranks as the eighth-most among all NFL wide receivers during that span. McConkey's rapport with
Justin Herbert continues to solidify, and he should be treated as a low-end fantasy WR1 going forward. He'll face off against the struggling Tennessee Titans in Week 9.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
October 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Oronde Gadsden caught all five of his targets for 77 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. His touchdown came on an eight-yard pass in the first quarter, and he also delivered an impressive 40-yard reception in the second quarter. Gadsden, a rookie, has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing breakout tight ends in fantasy football. Over his last three games, the Syracuse product has totaled 19 catches, 309 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He's averaging 20.3 fantasy points (PPR) since Week 6, which is the second-highest among tight ends during that span, trailing only
Trey McBride. The 22-year-old should be treated as a solid TE1 option heading into a favorable Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
October 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal totaled 23 carries, 117 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Thursday's Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also caught one of his two targets for an additional 10 receiving yards. The 24-year-old capitalized on a positive game script and turned in a high-volume, high-efficiency performance on primetime. He has been quite effective since taking over for
Omarion Hampton (ankle), averaging 16.7 rushing attempts, 2.7 receptions, 100 scrimmage yards, and 0.7 touchdowns per game over the last three weeks. Los Angeles is rumored to have serious interest in an external running back addition, but until that comes to fruition, Vidal will remain the Bolts' lead back. He has firmly established himself as the preferred option over
Hassan Haskins, who had just one carry for three yards on Thursday Night Football.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
October 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert completed 18 of his 25 pass attempts for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception during Thursday's Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also took two sacks and rushed for a season-high 62 yards. Herbert has been an effective fantasy quarterback all season long, but he has truly taken his game to the next level over the last three weeks. During that span, he has a total of eight touchdowns. He does have three interceptions in that timeframe as well, but fantasy managers will tolerate the slight uptick in turnovers if he continues to throw to the end zone at such a high success rate. Herbert will continue to rank as a mid-range QB1 heading into a very favorable Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
October 23, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers D/ST struggled significantly against the Indianapolis Colts offense on Sunday, allowing 38 points and being heavily dominated on the ground by running back
Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns. The defense has now surrendered a staggering 10 rushing touchdowns this season and an average of 140 yards rushing over the last three games. They now face a tough, well-coached Minnesota Vikings offense on a short week, which might include a returning Aaron Jones (activated from IR) to support tough, downhill runner
Jordan Mason. The presence of elite wide receivers like
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison also makes the Vikings a dangerous matchup. Although the Bolts recorded a sack with the return of edge rusher Khalil Mack, their ongoing run-defense struggles against a strong Vikings ground game remain risky. RotoBaller ranks the Chargers D/ST 14th this week. Although six teams are on bye, managers should consider alternative options.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
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
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