RADIO
Keaton Mitchell Remains Stuck in Three-Headed Chargers Backfield
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell played 31 percent of the snaps in Week 8, recording four carries for six yards and catching three passes for 17 yards in the Chargers' loss to the Rams. Mitchell remains involved in the offense, playing 31.6 percent of snaps this season; however, like the rest of the Chargers' offense, it hasn't amounted to much. Mitchell has a 3.72 yards-per-carry average and averages 6.06 fantasy points per game, ranking in the ninth percentile among qualifying running backs. Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal also remain involved in the offense, making this backfield a three-headed timeshare and neither running back a reliable fantasy option. Mitchell can still be rostered if needed; however, fantasy managers looking for short-term or immediate production may want to look elsewhere. Their Week 9 matchup against the Texans isn't a walk in the park either.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tre' Harris has Deep-League Streaming Appeal in Favorable Week 9 Matchup
Los Angeles wide receiver Tre' Harris has struggled to produce over the past two weeks, but a very favorable matchup against Houston in Week 9 could help him get back on track. Harris has 18 receptions for 256 yards and no touchdowns across 29 targets in his six games played this season. He only has five grabs for 47 yards over seven targets in the past two games combined, though. Houston has struggled to slow opposing wideouts all season, so the matchup favors Harris. It's tough to trust the Chargers' offense right now, and after a couple of down games in a row, Harris isn't the most confident starting option, even in deeper setups. The matchup is favorable enough to at least consider streaming Harris in deeper leagues for Week 9, though.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kimani Vidal Earning More Opportunities, Worth Monitoring on Waiver Wire
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-7, and the backfield situation has been difficult for fantasy managers to figure out, with Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell all involved. While Hampton is the usual starter, Vidal is worth monitoring on the waiver wire, as his role is becoming more consistent. Vidal led the Chargers' backfield in snaps played with 28 in a 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. Mitchell played 19 snaps, while Hampton had 18 reps. None of the running backs were particularly productive for the Chargers against the Rams, but Vidal led the way with 23 rushing yards on eight carries (2.9 yards per carry), and added two receptions for seven yards. After having six combined carries through the first four games, Vidal has had 23 carries for 101 yards (4.39 yards per attempt) and a touchdown over the past three games. He has also recorded six receptions for 26 yards during that span. He has played at least 25 offensive snaps in each of the past four games. Vidal is currently available in 87% of Yahoo leagues. The offense for the Chargers doesn't instill much confidence for fantasy managers, and Vidal isn't a must-add player, but he is in streaming consideration for a Week 9 matchup against a stout Houston Texans defense that allows 98.0 rushing yards per game.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chargers likely to open return window for David Njoku this week
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that the team will likely open the return window for tight end David Njoku (leg) this week, according to Alex Insdorf. Njoku injured his fibula in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders and has been on Injured Reserve since, but the 30-year-old veteran could have a chance to return this weekend to face the Houston Texans if he returns to practice this week. It does not make him an attractive waiver-wire pickup going into Week 9, though, as Njoku will be battling for playing time and targets with tight ends Oronde Gadsden and Charlie Kolar when he returns, and he is not guaranteed to be back this Sunday against the Texans. Before injuring his leg and landing on IR, Njoku caught six of eight targets for 67 yards and no touchdowns. He has the most experience (nine-plus years) in the NFL among L.A.'s tight end options, but given how poorly the Chargers' offense has played this year, Njoku is not a recommended TE target as he nears his return from injury.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Omarion Hampton Continues to Struggle
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton was hopeful for better results coming out of the bye week, but that wasn't the case on Sunday. Hampton continues to struggle to find any room to run and was once again unsuccessful on Sunday. The 23-year-old carried the ball nine times for 20 yards and hauled in two receptions for seven yards in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Hampton is really struggling right now and hasn't surpassed 35 rushing yards in a single game since Week 4. At this point, the Chargers are using a three-back committee with Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell. Hampton is giving the Chargers no reason to believe in him or give him an increased look going forward. He might be a low-end flex option for next week's matchup against the Houston Texans.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike McDaniel to Continue Calling Plays for Chargers' Offense
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will continue calling plays, Fernando Ramirez reports. Despite the team's offensive struggles, McDaniel is going to continue calling the plays for the offense going forward. The Chargers dropped to 0-7 on the season after scoring only nine points against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. This team continues to struggle to produce offensively, with only one game with over 20 points this season. The Chargers have now been held to under 10 points in two straight games. It's clear that something needs to change in Los Angeles, but the Chargers are going to stick with McDaniel for now.
Source: Fernando Ramirez
Source: Fernando Ramirez
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
