Los Angeles Chargers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) is expected to return to the field in a Week 9 game against the Cleveland Browns. Johnston missed Week 7 and Week 8 due to an ankle injury, but he was able to practice in full on Thursday and Friday after a limited practice on Wednesday, and he enters the weekend with no injury designation. In his place, fellow wide receiver Ladd McConkey and tight end Will Dissly have been seeing more targets. Johnston was averaging between four and five targets per game before getting hurt and should be right around there in his return as well. His return will be a nice upgrade for the Chargers offense in general but likely won't be a huge boost to any fantasy teams, as he's a WR4 at best in this matchup.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer is not a great option in Week 9 fantasy lineups. Palmer hasn't finished higher than the overall WR27 this season and is averaging a WR58 performance through his six games played. With the Chargers receiving corps expected to welcome back Quentin Johnston (ankle) and D.J. Chark (groin) this week, Palmer could fade into a support role and should not be in the starting lineup in most fantasy leagues. He likely does not even need to be rostered in standard sized leagues right now either.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (hip) will look for another big game in Week 9 when the Chargers face off against the Cleveland Browns. McConkey has been dealing with a hip issue and has missed some practice time lately, but he comes into this game without an injury designation after getting full practices in on Thursday and Friday. McConkey is coming off a two touchdown game that landed him as the overall fantasy WR2, but with Quentin Johnston (ankle) and D.J. Chark (groin) both expected back, McConkey might not see quite as many targets as he has the past few games. Still, he's a high-floor option as a WR2 with a decent ceiling as well.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal is likely to remain in his role as the primary backup to starter J.K. Dobbins when the Chargers face the Cleveland Browns in Week 9. Vidal has worked his way up the depth chart to the number two spot, but Dobbins has a three-down skillset and is one of the few backs in the league playing on almost every down. Vidal has mixed in as a change of pace and backup, and while he's looked solid when given the chance, he likely won't receive consistent enough chances to put up reliable fantasy numbers. However, if Dobbins were ever forced to miss time, Vidal would immediately skyrocket into the RB2/3 conversation.

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins will look for another good week in a Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Dobbins was solid against the New Orleans Saints in a Week 8 win, putting up 57 yards and a touchdown on the ground to go with four catches on seven targets through the air. It wasn't his most effective game on a per-touch basis, but his continued heavy involvement in both parts of the offensive game plan is encouraging. Dobbins was given Thursday off this week, as he missed practice for a rest day, but he enters the game with no injury designation after returning to a full practice on Friday. Dobbins is a steady and reliable RB2 option with weekly RB1 upside, especially with the Chargers offense finally starting to move the ball well over the past couple of games.