Los Angeles Chargers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (undisclosed) was forced to leave Saturday's training camp practice early due to an undisclosed injury and remained out on Sunday. The Chargers haven't disclosed the specific nature of McConkey's injury after he initially was injured last Thursday in practice before returning on Friday. The 22-year-old second-rounder figures to start out of the slot in three-wide sets right away for the Bolts alongside DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are out of town. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a huge target share in his rookie season, but McConkey is worth a late-round flier as a WR4/flex in redraft leagues as an efficient route-runner in an offense with plenty of opportunity at the position. If McConkey's injury turns out to be serious, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would likely benefit the most.

The Los Angeles Chargers have announced that quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot following Wednesday's practice at training camp. Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot for Herbert, which will be followed by a graduated return-to-play protocol, with the expectation being that he will be ready for the start of the regular season. Herbert's fantasy stock was already down heading into the 2024 season after the Chargers let most of their supporting cast go during the offseason, and this development should drive down his late-round ADP even further. He still has time to be ready by September, but he'll be working against the clock by the time he's ready to resume practicing. 2019 fifth-rounder Easton Stick is the next man up at quarterback on LA's depth chart, which would hurt the appeal of the entire offense if he were to be under center for Week 1.

The trio of Los Angeles Chargers wide reeceivers Ladd McConkey, Joshua Palmer, and DJ Chark have emerged to become the main receivers working in 11 personnel for the team through six training camp practices. McConkey has "flashed" in the slot for the Chargers, stringing together multiple quality outings so far in camp. Palmer looks to be the top receiver for the Chargers after ascending to the top of the depth chart following the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The fantasy buzz hasn't been the greatest at times for the Chargers, as they are expected to run the ball more with the addition of head coach Jim Harbaugh and former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman. However, McConkey and Palmer are the two Chargers' receivers with the highest fantasy draft capital, going in drafts in the middle rounds. With quarterback Justin Herbert throwing the ball, both McConkey and Palmer are WR3 candidates with upside.

As long as Los Angeles Chargers running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are healthy, they will be the unquestioned top two RBs on the team's depth chart. The real battle in training camp and in the preseason will be for the third and fourth spots on the depth chart, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. Jaret Patterson, who spent most of last year on the team's practice squad, got a notable amount of work with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. Edwards was limited to individual drills on Thursday, but it's notable that Patterson appears to be ahead of rookie sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal early in camp. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his two NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders. Patterson is unlikely to see a big role for the Bolts this year.

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer were working with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. As of early in camp, it appears that last year's first-rounder, Quentin Johnston, is the team's No. 4 wideout. The 22-year-old McConkey has already developed notable chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason and could be one of his go-to targets now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are on other teams in 2024. McConkey is an excellent route-runner and deserves attention as at least a late-round flier for receiving depth in PPR fantasy leagues this fall. It's still early in camp, but McConkey's development is worth keeping a close eye on.