Los Angeles Chargers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (knee) was seen at practice on Wednesday. This is a great sign, as the Georgia product was unable to suit up last weekend due to a knee injury. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status throughout the week, but seeing him back at practice on Wednesday suggests he should be in line to return to action this weekend. Over his previous six games, the rookie has begun to find his footing at the professional level, as he has averaged 16.8 PPR points per game during this span with 91.7 yards per game. If McConkey can return this weekend, he should be started in all formats facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the eighth-highest PPR points to opposing wideouts.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that he does not expect tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) to practice on Wednesday. Dissly injured his shoulder on the final play of the first half in the Week 14 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night and is expected to miss multiple weeks, so the fact he's not practicing on Wednesday is not a surprise at all. The 28-year-old has been dropped in many fantasy leagues already and almost certainly will be ruled out on Friday for the Week 15 game on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dissly is likely to avoid Injured Reserve, though, which means he could return before the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Stone Smartt should operate as LA's top pass-catching TE for as long as Dissly is sidelined, putting him on the TE2 streaming map for fantasy managers.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle, leg) is dealing with a leg contusion in addition to an "ankle injury." "He'll be doing everything and anything in his power to play on Sunday. We'll see about (practice) today," Harbaugh said. Herbert took a shot to his leg in the Week 14 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night but only ended up missing one play and downplayed the injury after the game. The 26-year-old is also dealing with an ankle injury, though, and his status should be closely monitored heading into Sunday's tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Herbert is one of the toughest QBs in the league, so we'd expect him to be out there in Week 15, but his practice reps could be limited this week and he might not be as mobile outside the pocket against Tampa. He'll be on the QB1/2 borderline in Week 15 if he's active.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury in the Sunday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that is likely to keep him out for a couple of weeks, according to sources. Injured Reserve isn't considered likely for Dissly right now, which is good, because an IR placement would require him to miss the final four weeks of the regular season. In his first season with the Bolts, he's been productive for LA with 43 receptions, 418 receiving yards and one touchdown. The 28-year-old injured his shoulder on the final play before halftime on Sunday night and was unable to return. He'll at least be out this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could miss the Thursday night game in Week 16 against the division-rival Denver Broncos as well. Stone Smartt, who had a season-high 54 yards on Sunday night, will take over as the starter and will be worth a look as a TE2 streamer in fantasy.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (leg) suffered a left-leg contusion in the Sunday night loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14, but Herbert said he doesn't expect the injury to affect him going forward. He took a hard hit to his left lower thigh late in the second quarter and eventually limped to the sideline. Herbert took a play off but then return to action and finished out the game without any issues. "Tough as they come, warrior," head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Herbert. The 26-year-old finished 21-for-30 passing with 213 yards and one touchdown. Herbert should be fine to play in Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his upside as a low-end QB1 in fantasy will likely come down to whether rookie receiver Ladd McConkey (knee, shoulder) ends up missing his second straight game.