RADIO
Justin Herbert Stays With Chargers After Vikings Trade Inquiry
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert drew a trade inquiry from the Minnesota Vikings before Tuesday's deadline, according to Jordan Schultz. The Chargers immediately turned away inquiries about Herbert, Schultz reported. Herbert's five-year, $262.5 million extension, signed in 2023, runs through 2029 and includes a no-trade clause. He has started all eight games for the winless Chargers, throwing for 1,591 yards with six touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Houston sacked Herbert a career-high eight times Sunday, bringing his season total to 31. He threw for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an injury to his left middle finger. Head coach Jim Harbaugh kept him out for the rest of the game and said Monday that X-rays were negative and Herbert should be good to go. Herbert has thrown an interception in every start this season and has yet to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game. RotoBaller ranks him QB25 in its early Week 10 rankings ahead of Monday night's road game against Baltimore.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Chargers Open to Trading Players on Expiring Contracts
The Los Angeles Chargers have been more receptive to trading players over the last 24 hours, sources told NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Veteran pass-rusher Khalil Mack is still considered a long shot to be dealt by Tuesday's trade deadline, but other expiring-contract players are available if the offer makes sense. The Chargers have a firm eye toward the future after starting the 2026 season at 0-8, the only team in the NFL still without a win. The Chargers have shot down overtures on building blocks like quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Ladd McConkey, but they could be willing to deal other names if the price is right. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said that general manager Joe Hortiz is "pursuing and active" at this year's deadline. "If something makes sense that will make our team better, now or in the future, Joe Hortiz is going to be open and active in pursuing that."
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Justin Herbert's Struggles Continue With the Winless Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (finger) continues to disappoint at a new level after another dud of a performance in Week 9, finishing with 11.42 fantasy points, going 13-for-23 for 193 yards, and throwing one touchdown and one interception. Herbert has thrown an interception in every game this season and has a 6:11 TD:INT ratio. Herbert is 29th in the NFL in fantasy points per game (11.71) and is 34th in EPA per dropback. The Chargers (0-8) have put together a historically bad season in 2026, and from a fantasy perspective, even in good matchups, Herbert isn't a viable option. For now, Herbert remains a dynasty stash, as the 28-year-old has shown flashes in the past to justify that roster spot.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kimani Vidal Remains a Deep-League PRR Option
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal continues to mix into the team's backfield alongside Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell. Vidal has shown some big-play potential and gets enough passing-down work to be a deep league option, even though his workload is unpredictable. In Week 9, after the bye, Vidal played 28 snaps (39%), which was just one fewer than Hampton and 10 more than Mitchell. He took seven carries for 30 yards and added a six-yard reception. He has at least seven carries in four straight games and is averaging a healthy 4.5 yards per carry on the season. He has one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown, along with 10 catches for 56 yards. He's not getting enough volume to be a regular starter, but he's definitely still in the mix for the Bolts, who are desperate for any sort of spark on offense. Vidal has enough potential to be a hold or a stash in deep leagues, in case he gets more work down the line, but he's hard to start in most formats in Week 10 against the Ravens.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Considered Day-to-Day
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that wide receiver Ladd McConkey (back) is "day-to-day" with back spasms, according to Alex Insdorf. McConkey was active for the Week 9 game against the visiting Houston Texans on Sunday, but he did not play at all after developing back spasms during pre-game warmups. It has been that kind of year for McConkey and the Chargers, who will still be seeking their first victory in Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens next Monday night. A day-to-day tag for the 24-year-old to begin a new week is a good sign for his availability against Baltimore, but it is going to be hard for fantasy managers to trust McConkey until he actually produces on game day again after already producing two donuts for his fantasy managers in 2026. If the Georgia product is questionable at all going into the weekend, he should be avoided entirely by fantasy managers with L.A.'s game coming next Monday night. McConkey took a step back in Year 2 in 2025 and has been even more disappointing in Year 3, catching 17 of his 24 targets for 286 yards and only one touchdown through the first nine weeks in 2026 in six games played.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Justin Herbert Avoids a Fractured Finger
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced on Monday that quarterback Justin Herbert's (finger) imaging came back "negative" and that he avoided a fracture on his left middle finger, according to Alex Insdorf. Herbert was injured in the team's 44-22 loss at home to the Houston Texans on Sunday in Week 9, but he should be good to suit up in Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens next Monday night with an extra day off until then. The 28-year-old could be limited in practice this week, but it would be a surprise if he does not start against Baltimore as the Bolts search for their first victory of the 2026 season. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was praising Herbert for his progress in learning the new offense back in training camp, but the Chargers have been a dumpster fire under McDaniel this year, with Herbert ranking as the QB24 in fantasy with 1,591 passing yards, six touchdowns, and a league-high 11 interceptions in eight starts. It is not all on his shoulders, though, with L.A.'s offensive line yet again being a major liability, while top wideout Ladd McConkey (back) has not really been healthy all year. Touted as a potential midrange QB1 going into the season, Herbert and the entire Chargers offense have been one of the biggest busts in 2026. He should only be started in superflex leagues in Week 10 against the Ravens.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Quentin Johnston Is a Speculative Week 10 Add After First Touchdown
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston scored his first touchdown of the season Sunday, taking a short pass from Justin Herbert 58 yards against Houston. It was his only catch on four targets. Three receptions of at least 44 yards account for 159 of his 260 receiving yards this season. Rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues, Johnston is worth a low-cost bench claim in 12-team half-PPR leagues that start three receivers. Ladd McConkey (back) was active but never took a snap after experiencing spasms during warmups. Johnston still drew the same four targets he saw with McConkey in the lineup against the Rams a week earlier. Tre' Harris drew a team-high seven targets against Houston after seeing three against the Rams. Harris and Johnston each played 60 offensive snaps on Sunday. Herbert injured the middle finger on his non-throwing hand in the fourth quarter and said he plans to play Monday night at Baltimore. Backup DJ Uiagalelei targeted Harris on two of his seven passes in relief and did not throw to Johnston.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omarion Hampton Leads the Way in Losing Effort
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton totaled 60 scoreless yards on his 13 carries in the team's 44-22 home loss to the Houston Texans. He was not targeted in the passing game for the first time since Week 1. The second-year pro's box score isn't too useful for fantasy. That said, it's the first time in a few games for LA that a member of the backfield committee separated themselves considerably in the carry total. Hampton's 13 totes nearly matched teammates Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell combined (14). Moreover, Hampton looked explosive on a highlight 32-yard run. It isn't much to go on, but a little bit of touch consolidation here could go a long way for the 23-year-old. Unfortunately, a wait-and-see approach is best for now, but there's at least a little life after a decent workload. Hampton will look to build on the solid outing in Week 10 against a formidable Baltimore Ravens rush defense in primetime.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ladd McConkey Doesn't End Up Playing After Pregame Back Spasms
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (back) was listed as active for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Houston Texans, but he didn't play any snaps due to back spasms that he experienced during pregame warmups. It has been an absolutely brutal year for McConkey in terms of injuries. He has played more than 50% of the snaps in just two of the Chargers' eight games so far, and he ranks outside the top 65 receivers in total fantasy scoring. Managers can't fault McConkey for injuries that are out of his control, but it's certainly frustrating when a player is active, and then the player doesn't end up logging any snaps due to a pregame injury that the team chose not to report. McConkey is tough to trust even when he's active, making him a low-end WR3 with a low floor heading into Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justin Herbert Could be Dealing With Fractured Finger
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (finger) exited a 44-22 loss in the fourth quarter with a left middle finger injury and did not return. According to Alex Insdorf of the Guilty As Charged Podcast, L.A. head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the contest that Herbert wanted to reenter the game, but Harbaugh made the decision to keep him on the sideline. The exact extent of the injury isn't known yet, but Harbaugh noted that it could potentially be a fracture. However, Insdorf also reported that Herbert said in his postgame remarks, "I'll do whatever I can to make sure I'm 100%," and that Herbert does not expect it to be an issue moving forward. Herbert completed 13 out of 23 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Texans. DJ Uiagalelei entered the game at quarterback for the Chargers while Herbert was out, and he will likely be in line to start if Herbert is forced to miss time. With the loss to the Texans, the Chargers fell to 0-8 in the 2026 season.
Source: Alex Insdorf - Guilty As Charged Podcast
Source: Alex Insdorf - Guilty As Charged Podcast
Justin Herbert Injures Hand Late in Blowout Loss to Texans
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) was out for the rest of Sunday's Week 9 game against the Houston Texans after backup DJ Uiagalelei took over in the fourth quarter. Hayley Elwood reported that Herbert emerged on the sideline wearing a glove on his left hand. Uiagalelei made his NFL regular-season debut with Los Angeles trailing 41-15. Herbert completed 13 of 23 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and Houston sacked him eight times. His lone touchdown was a 58-yard pass to Quentin Johnston earlier in the fourth quarter. The Chargers visit the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night in Week 10.
Source: Hayley Elwood
Source: Hayley Elwood
Ladd McConkey Questionable to Return Against Texans
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (back) is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 9 game against the Houston Texans, according to Aaron Wilson. McConkey had no targets through the Chargers' first six offensive plays. On that opening drive, Justin Herbert converted third-and-five with a 10-yard pass to Tre' Harris, and fellow starting receiver Quentin Johnston gained five yards on a carry. Wide receiver Brenen Thompson (quadriceps, hamstring) was inactive.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Oronde Gadsden Off the Streaming Radar in Week 9 vs. Texans
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden is coming off his biggest performance of the season. The 23-year-old caught all five of his targets for 52 yards and finished Week 8 as the TE14. Gadsden has disappointed this season, but his recent performance could jump-start his season. However, Gadsden enters Week 9 as RotoBaller's PPR TE32 in an intriguing matchup against the Houston Texans. The Texans defense has allowed the third-most 20-plus-yard passing plays and the ninth-most yards per reception. Gadsden will need to stack good fantasy performances to earn managers' trust. He should be viewed as a TE3 and is not a reliable streaming option in Week 9.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Tre' Harris a Desperation Dart Throw in Deeper Leagues in Week 9 vs. Texans
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Tre' Harris saw his slight breakout pause in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams. Harris caught all three targets for 31 yards in his limited role. The 24-year-old can likely point to Ladd McConkey's return as the reason. McConkey has been the focal point of the offense when healthy and has been Justin Herbert's favorite target. As a result, Harris enters Week 9 as RotoBaller's PPR WR63 in an intriguing matchup against the Houston Texans. The Texans defense has allowed the third-most 20-plus-yard passing plays and the ninth-most yards per reception. Harris is a big-play receiver who could slip loose against a Texans defense consistently giving up chunk plays. The Ole Miss product likely won't see consistent volume, but the Texans' big-play defense allows Harris to be a deep league dart throw for managers.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Quentin Johnston an Uninspiring Deep-League Desperation Option
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston has had a disappointing season through the first half of the year. Johnston is the PPR WR85 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 4.4 points per game. As a result, Johnston enters Week 9 as RotoBaller's PPR WR59 despite an intriguing matchup against the Houston Texans. The Texans defense has allowed the third-most 20-plus-yard passing plays and the ninth-most yards per reception. In addition, Johnston will likely avoid being shadowed by Derek Stingley Jr. The Texans have mainly kept Stingley on one side of the field rather than having him shadow opposing wide receivers. Johnston is a desperation dart throw this week for managers who are battling injuries and bye weeks. However, he will need to connect with Justin Herbert on a few big plays to be fantasy-viable on Sunday.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
