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Quentin Johnston Will Play in Week 6, Could Face Snap Count
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (chest) is off the injury report and will play in his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, when asked about a potential snap count for Johnston, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh replied, "I don't know," per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged podcast. Johnston has had a rough season even when he's been healthy so far in 2026, recording seven catches for 108 yards on 19 targets across four games. He could have a chance to play a significant role in the Chargers' passing game in Week 6, as fellow wideout Tre' Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out and Ladd McConkey (foot) is playing through a foot injury. Still, Johnston remains extremely difficult for fantasy managers to trust as a starter against the tough Chiefs defense.
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Tre' Harris Ruled Out for Week 6
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out for his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Harris suffered the injury during the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old has flashed upside to this point in 2026, recording 15 catches for 225 yards on 25 targets across five games. However, fantasy managers will now have to wait until at least Week 8 to play him, as the Chargers have their bye in Week 7. While Harris is sidelined against Kansas City, Los Angeles wideouts Ladd McConkey (foot) and Quentin Johnston (chest) are both active and should be the lead options in the passing game for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey Off the Injury Report for Week 6, Could Be on a Snap Count
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) is off the injury report and will be active for his team's Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged Podcast. However, when asked whether McConkey will be on a snap count, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "I don't know." McConkey was active for the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos, but did not play a single snap. The 24-year-old has battled multiple injury issues so far in 2026, recording 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across four games. While McConkey has a chance to be productive against Kansas City, his uncertain health status and the Chargers' struggling offense make him a very risky start for fantasy managers in Week 6.
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Quentin Johnston is Becoming Cut Candidate After Slow Start
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (chest) is hopeful to get back on the field in Week 6, but he hasn't been much of a fantasy option anyway. During his four games this season, Johnston has recorded seven receptions for 108 receiving yards with zero touchdowns. The Chargers' offense has struggled as a whole, but Johnston is giving almost zero value right now. The 25-year-old isn't a must drop player, but fantasy managers in 12-team standard leagues should begin looking for another option. The Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6, and then they have a bye in Week 7. It's unlikely that Johnston is going to offer fantasy managers much of anything over the next two weeks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Justin Herbert No Longer a Must-Roster Quarterback
After logging 3,727 passing yards, 498 rushing yards, and 29 total touchdowns in 2025, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was widely viewed by fantasy managers as a no-doubt top-12 quarterback entering 2026. However, the 28-year-old has played some of the worst football of his career through the first five weeks of the season, completing just 59.4% of his pass attempts for 937 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The Chargers offense has also collapsed around Herbert. In Week 5, Los Angeles was without tackles Joe Alt (neck) and Rashawn Slater (ankle), as well as wide receivers Ladd McConkey (foot), Quentin Johnston (chest), and Brenen Thompson (quad). Between his own struggles and the situation around him, Herbert is no longer a must-roster player for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omarion Hampton's Snap Count "Hard to Predict"
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that it's "hard to predict how many a player is going to get" when asked about running back Omarion Hampton's declining snap count, per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged podcast. Across five games so far in 2026, Hampton has recorded 73 carries for 231 yards and three touchdowns. However, his workload has decreased in recent weeks as the Chargers have gotten fellow running backs Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell more involved in the team's offense. After leading the team in running back snaps in each of the first three weeks, Hampton has now played the same number of snaps as, or fewer than, both Vidal and Mitchell in two straight contests. Between his uncertain workload and the Chargers' overall issues on offense this season, Hampton is becoming increasingly difficult for fantasy managers to trust.
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Ladd McConkey Practicing on Wednesday
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) will practice on Wednesday, per Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged podcast. McConkey is battling a foot injury and was active for the Chargers' Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos, but did not play a single snap. As such, McConkey's practice status this week does not guarantee that he will be back in action in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, it's a positive sign that the 24-year-old is continuing to work his way towards a return to the field. McConkey has been Los Angeles' most productive pass-catcher so far this season, recording 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets across four games. If healthy, he profiles as a flex option in three-wide receiver league formats in Week 6.
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Source: Guilty As Charged Podcast - Alex Insdorf
Quentin Johnston a Possible Trade Candidate to Watch
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (chest) could be a trade candidate to watch at this season's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Johnston was involved in trade discussions in the offseason, and with the Chargers 0-5, they could revisit those talks soon. The fourth-year receiver has caught just seven of 19 targets for 108 yards in four games this season, which is on pace for a major regression compared with his 2024 and 2025 seasons. The team could also save $16 million next season if they trade the former first-round pick before June 1st. While possible landing spots are unclear at this point, fantasy managers should prepare for a trade involving the receiver.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Chargers Work Out JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday
The Los Angeles Chargers worked out free-agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Quentin Johnston (chest) missed the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sunday, and although Ladd McConkey (foot) was active, he was only available in an emergency situation and did not play a single offensive snap. Injuries to the wideout position continued in Sunday's loss, too, as Tre' Harris left with a hamstring injury and did not return. He is considered week-to-week with a Week 7 divisional tilt on the road coming this Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. With all of the injuries at the position, tight end Charlie Kolar led the Bolts in receiving in the 23-17 loss to Denver. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Theo Wease Jr. were forced into significant snaps last weekend and could be forced to do so again if Harris and Johnston do not play. The 29-year-old Smith-Schuster continues to look for another chance to play in 2026, and it could come in L.A. The former Pro Bowler in 2018 played in 17 games (12 starts) with the Chiefs last year and caught 33 of 45 targets for 345 yards and one touchdown. Smith-Schuster becoming fantasy-relevant in standard 12-team fantasy leagues is likely a long shot if he lands in L.A.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Marquez Valdes-Scantling a Deep-League Waiver Option
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling could see another substantial snap share in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, although his fantasy appeal remains limited to deeper leagues. With Quentin Johnston (chest) and Brenen Thompson (quadriceps) sidelined, Ladd McConkey (foot) available only for emergencies, and Tre' Harris (hamstring) exiting early, Valdes-Scantling played 75% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's 23-17 loss to Denver. Despite the expanded playing time, he caught just two passes for 22 yards on three targets and has only five targets across three appearances this season. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh indicated Monday that McConkey could begin working back into the mix this week, while Johnston may remain limited in practice. Valdes-Scantling could continue seeing significant playing time if those injuries persist, but his lack of targets makes him difficult to trust in fantasy lineups. Managers in leagues with 14 or more teams can consider him for temporary receiver depth, although there's little incentive to invest heavily in a player who could see his opportunities disappear once the Chargers get healthier. Los Angeles also has a Week 7 bye approaching.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Kolar Isn't a Priority Add Despite Leading Chargers in Receiving
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar returned from a fractured forearm to lead the team with 37 receiving yards in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Denver Broncos, although his performance wasn't without problems. Kolar caught three of four targets, but lost a fumble following a 19-yard reception on Los Angeles' opening possession that helped set up Denver's first touchdown. The veteran has now caught six passes for 58 yards without a touchdown across three appearances this season. His increased involvement came with Quentin Johnston (chest) and Brenen Thompson (quadriceps) sidelined, leaving the Chargers short on receiving options. David Njoku remains on injured reserve, although Oronde Gadsden II continues to compete for playing time, and Hayden Rucci caught the team's lone passing touchdown against Denver. Kolar has an opportunity to build on Sunday's production against Kansas City in Week 6, but his limited receiving history makes him difficult to trust. Rostered in just 1% of leagues, he's an emergency streaming consideration in 14-team formats, particularly with the Chargers heading into their Week 7 bye.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kimani Vidal a Stash-Worthy Waiver Target Whose Role Continues to Expand
After a Week 4 touchdown reception against the Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal recorded his first score on the ground in a Week 5 loss to the Broncos, and he has legitimate stash appeal on this week's waiver wire. For the second week in a row, the Chargers deployed a near-even three-way split between Vidal, Omarion Hampton, and Keaton Mitchell, with Vidal actually leading the group with 28 offensive snaps. His 42-yard touchdown run helped him to finish with 57 rushing yards and a 7.1-yard-per-carry average on his eight attempts. While he still isn't seeing enough work to be a reliable weekly start, Vidal has been the team's most efficient runner on a limited sample size, racking up yards after contact. With Hampton disappointing through five weeks, and Vidal possessing multiple potential paths to an expanded workload, he's become a player worthy of an end-of-bench stash in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Keaton Mitchell Remains a Long-term Stash Despite a Quiet Week
Despite modest results in a Week 5 loss to the Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell remains heavily involved in what has been arguably the league's most disappointing offense, pointing to potentially brighter days ahead. For the second week in a row, the Chargers leaned on a three-way backfield split, with Mitchell, Omarion Hampton, and Kimani Vidal all seeing the field for at least 20 snaps, and each seeing at least nine opportunities. Vidal, while still the least utilized, has been the team's most efficient runner, but Mitchell remains the designated passing back, with his 14 targets through five weeks more than doubling the combined total of the other two. While the current split makes none of the Chargers' backs a reliable weekly start, Mitchell's big-play ability, coupled with multiple paths to an expanded workload, makes him a must-roster player and a waiver stash to target wherever he's still available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chargers Not Considering Trading Justin Herbert
The Los Angeles Chargers have never discussed the idea of potentially trading quarterback Justin Herbert, a team source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter admitted that the idea of the Chargers trading Herbert for three first-round picks would be intriguing and would allow the 0-5 team to rebuild for the future, but it sounds as though the Bolts have no interest in trading away their franchise signal-caller despite the bad start and injuries piling up around him on offense. Things could change if the Chargers continue to lose -- they face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 -- but as of now, it is a non-starter for the organization, and it does not even sound like they are willing to listen to trade offers for Herbert. The 28-year-old has struggled in new coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme through five weeks, but L.A.'s grinder of a schedule has not made it any easier. Herbert is completing 59.4% of his passes for 937 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions, and is already working with a patchwork offensive line in front of him. He has quickly fallen down to low-end QB2 status, and it is going to be difficult for him to bounce back this weekend against KC given all the injuries to the Chargers' WR corps.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Tre' Harris Still Worth Stashing Despite Hamstring Injury?
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris (hamstring) was a sneaky pickup going into the Week 5 game against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sunday, with both Ladd McConkey (foot) and Quentin Johnston (chest) questionable to play. McConkey was active (did not end up playing any snaps), while Johnston was held out. It was shaping up to be a high-target day for Harris in the Chargers' banged-up offense, but L.A.'s offense continued to struggle before Harris left the game in the second half and never returned due to a hamstring injury. He caught two of his four targets for only 16 yards before departing. With McConkey, Johnston, and Harris all injured, tight end Charlie Kolar ended up leading the Chargers in receiving with three grabs on four targets for only 37 yards on a day in which quarterback Justin Herbert threw for only 121 yards. Harris is now considered week-to-week with his hamstring injury, meaning he could miss the Week 6 divisional clash against the Kansas City Chiefs. Keep in mind that the Chargers' bye comes in Week 7 when deciding whether to keep Harris stashed as WR depth in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
