Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) is set to lead a brand new offense in a Week 1 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. We've all heard the speculation but now we'll finally see what Herbert looks like in a Greg Roman offense led by Jim Harbaugh. There are some concerns about it being a run-first offense, but with a talent like Herbert under center, there are sure to be chances for him to accumulate some fantasy points. Although Herbert practiced in full, he is officially listed on the injury report with the foot issue that kept him out of the preseason. The team does not appear to be concerned, but the fact that they're forced to report it means there's likely at least something there. This game has a wide range of outcomes, but the Raiders defense isn't anything to be afraid of, leaving Herbert as a QB2 with plenty of upside.

Los Angeles Chargers running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards were listed as co-starters on the team's first official depth chart, and which back will get more touches has been a mystery all offseason. In a media availability on Thursday, offensive coordinator Greg Roman suggested it could change week-to-week. "We don't overthink that. They're both going to play, and whoever's got the hot hand as I tell them, has got the hot hand," Roman said. "So we're going to go with the hot hand." While both players should be rostered in all 12-plus team leagues, it would be a surprise if Dobbins is effective following an Achilles tear roughly one year ago. Achilles tears have proven to be career-enders for many players, especially at the running back position. However, he's not on the Week 1 injury report, so he could make a surprising comeback. For now, Edwards carries an RB3 outlook into Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, while Dobbins is a risky flex consideration.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (foot), who practiced in full on Wednesday, will be added to the Week 1 injury report on Thursday after the Chargers said they were advised to do so by the league. According to the Chargers, nothing has changed since Herbert practiced on Wednesday, other than getting guidance from the NFL. Herbert says he's feeling 100% despite missing several weeks in training camp with a plantar-fascia injury. Even though the 26-year-old is being placed on the injury report, it shouldn't mean much in terms of his health for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders at Sofi Stadium. The biggest knock on Herbert's fantasy value entering 2024 campaign is that he's in a run-first offense now and lost his favorite weapons from the past several seasons. He'll be a clear QB2 in fantasy in Week 1 against the Raiders.

While Los Angeles Chargers second-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston showed dramatic improvement as a route-runner in training camp and the preseason this summer, The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that his hands are still a concern. Johnston had several drops in camp, but the former first-rounder should still offer more than he did in 2023 in what was a disappointing rookie campaign. The problem for fantasy managers that drafted Johnston in dynasty/keeper leagues last year is that he's opening the 2024 season as the WR4 in LA behind Joshua Palmer, rookie second-rounder Ladd McConkey and deep threat DJ Chark (hip). The 22-year-old went undrafted in most standard-sized fantasy leagues, although he could jump into the starting lineup this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders and be a DFS sleeper if Chark is unable to play.

The Los Angeles Chargers released their first official depth chart of the 2024 regular season on Tuesday and listed running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins as co-starters, with rookie Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins behind them as depth. Both Edwards and Dobbins have operated in offensive coordinator Greg Roman's system before in Baltimore. Edwards should handle most of the team's short-yardage, goal-line situations after scoring 13 rushing TDs with the Ravens in 2023. However, Dobbins looked explosive in training camp after coming off two major injuries the last few seasons. Dobbins is the more elusive back in space and could surprise as a pass-catcher out of the backfield in deep PPR leagues if he can stay healthy in 2024. Edwards will be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in his Chargers debut in Week 1 versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.