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
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton delivered in the team's 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, rushing 16 times for 85 yards and a touchdown while averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry. Hampton handled 62% of the team's rushing attempts, especially after
Kimani Vidal exited with a neck injury, and consistently showed more burst and decisiveness than his backfield mates. He also contributed as a receiver, adding a 10-yard catch. Heading into Week 17, Hampton could see an expanded role if Vidal misses time, though Houston presents a much stiffer challenge. The Texans rank among the top seven run defenses, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. Still, with the Chargers leaning on the ground game and Hampton's explosiveness standing out, he profiles as a volume-based RB2 with RB1 upside.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden saw his role shrink significantly in the team's 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, recording just one catch for seven yards while playing only 59% of the snaps and posting a 3.5% target share. This marked his lowest usage since becoming a regular contributor, continuing a troubling post-bye trend in which his snap rate has dipped as the Chargers prioritize pass protection for their depleted offensive line. For the first time since Week 2, veteran
Will Dissly out-targeted Gadsden, highlighting the rookie's diminishing involvement. Week 17 brings a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans, who rank among the top pass defenses and top-10 units against tight ends in yards allowed. With declining playing time, reduced targets, and a challenging opponent, Gadsden should not be trusted in fantasy lineups during championship week.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal was diagnosed with a neck strain and is considered day-to-day after an MRI, according to Ian Rapoport. Vidal left Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys early in the fourth quarter. Before his exit, Vidal had five carries for 11 rushing yards. The Chargers leaned on rookie
Omarion Hampton and
Hassan Haskins to close out the game on the ground. The 24-year-old has stepped up when needed this season, totaling 152 carries for 631 yards and three touchdowns. Vidal could miss some time, but the belief is that the injury is not serious. If Vidal does miss time, Hampton and Haskins will get more work in the backfield in his absence.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: Ian Rapoport
December 21, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston returned to action in a big way during Sunday's 34-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys. Johnston sat out last week's win over the Kansas City Chiefs due to a groin issue. He returned from his one-game absence here and posted a massive performance. Johnston hauled in four of his five targets for 104 yards and a touchdown in the victory. The 24-year-old has been inconsistent over the last few months. This time, Johnston excelled as he posted his first 100-yard performance of the season. He'll draw a tough matchup against the Houston Texans' defense next week. His deep threat ability will certainly keep him on the fantasy radar in Week 17.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts for 300 yards, two passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He also had eight rushing attempts, 42 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Herbert put together a phenomenal fantasy performance with three total touchdowns and zero turnovers. He also made an impact on the ground and led the Chargers to a key win in the midst of the playoff hunt. After four consecutive games where Herbert was less than 100% due to injury, it was very encouraging to see him bounce back in such a huge way. After Sunday's big outing, managers should trust Herbert as a solid QB1 option heading into Week 17, despite facing off against a strong Houston Texans defense.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 21, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal (neck) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had just five carries for 11 rushing yards. After a couple of weeks splitting touches with
Omarion Hampton, Vidal took on a smaller role this weekend while Hampton got more involved. Even if Vidal returns Sunday, he'll likely remain in a change-of-pace role. While he's sidelined,
Hassan Haskins will operate as Los Angeles' No. 2 option out of the backfield.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
December 21, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston (groin) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Johnston was listed as questionable after being a limited participant in practice this week while managing a groin injury. The 24-year-old missed last week's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he should return to a full-time role in a favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys' 32nd-ranked pass defense. The TCU product has played 12 games this season, collecting 42 receptions for 533 yards and seven touchdowns on 71 targets. He projects as an upside WR4 for Week 16, facing a weak Dallas secondary.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Adam Schefter
December 19, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers' D/ST enters Week 16 after holding the Kansas City Chiefs to 13 points last week, recording five sacks and two interceptions. Led by Derwin James Jr., the secondary has allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the league and ranks second in interception rate. However, they face a tall task against the Dallas Cowboys' offense, led by
Dak Prescott, who leads the NFL in passing yards. While the Chargers' pass rush ranks fourth in sack rate, the defense is dealing with injuries to safety R.J. Mickens (out), linebacker Bud Dupree (questionable), and defensive back Elijah Molden (questionable). The lack of defensive touchdowns this season and the "away game" environment at AT&T Stadium lowers their floor against an elite offense. There might be better streaming options this week as RotoBaller ranks them as the D/ST20.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers kicker
Cameron Dicker remains one of the most reliable fantasy options after going 3-for-3 on field goals last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, Dicker is in an ideal environment for scoring. The Cowboys' explosive offense should keep the Chargers aggressive, while the Dallas defense's secondary struggles often lead to drives stalling in field goal range. RotoBaller projects Dicker as K4 for the week, reflecting both his individual accuracy and the high-scoring potential of this game script. With the Chargers' offense getting healthier, Dicker should see multiple scoring opportunities in a controlled dome environment. Start him with complete confidence as a top-tier fantasy kicker this week.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden is coming off a productive week in which he led the team with 61 receiving yards on a 19% target share. While his route rate dipped to 54.6% as the team prioritized pass protection, Gadsden functions more like a wide receiver in this offense. That serves him well against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has been shredded by perimeter players, even though it has allowed only four touchdowns to tight ends all year. With
Quentin Johnston (groin) questionable, Gadsden could see an increase in high-ADOT, downfield targets, as he did earlier in the season. He hasn't scored in six games, but the Cowboys' league-worst EPA/Pass suggests that drought could end this Sunday. RotoBaller projects him as the TE10, making him a solid low-end TE1 or streaming option.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris (hip) is off the injury report and is ready for a Week 16 clash with the Dallas Cowboys. Harris took full advantage of
Quentin Johnston's (groin) absence last week, recording a season-high 85% snap share and sparking the offense with a 37-yard reception that led to a Bolts' touchdown. This week, he faces a Dallas Cowboys secondary that ranks last in passing yards and touchdowns allowed. While Harris' volume is tied to Johnston's availability, his big-play ability and high snap share make him an intriguing deep-league flex or DFS punt with upside. RotoBaller ranks him as the WR65, but the matchup offers a higher ceiling than the ranking suggests. He is a low-end WR4/5 with sneaky upside if Johnston is ruled out.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
December 19, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston (groin) is officially listed as questionable for Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys after missing the last game with a groin injury. Before the injury, Johnston's production had slowed, totaling just 14 catches over his last five games. If he suits up, he will face a Dallas Cowboys defense that has allowed more passing yards and touchdowns than any other team in the NFL. The Cowboys' 25th-ranked sack percentage could allow Johnston time to get downfield, but his recent lack of volume and the "re-injury" risk make him a volatile play. RotoBaller has Johnston as the WR57 this week if he plays. He remains a touchdown-reliant, low-end WR4, deep-threat gamble.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
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