DJ Chark Jr. DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) picked up another DNP and was unable to practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Chark still has one more day to get on the practice field, but as of right now, things aren't looking good for his chances of being active for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday at Sofi Stadium against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The 27-year-old initially suffered a hip injury on Aug. 19 during training camp. When healthy, Chark is expected to be the field-stretcher for the Bolts as their WR3 in a run-first offense behind Joshua Palmer and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey. Even if Chark is able to practice on Friday and ends up playing on Sunday, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep him on their benches. If Chark is inactive, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would step into the WR3 role for LA against the Raiders.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Chark has been dealing with the injury for a couple of weeks and has not practiced at all this week. The Chargers need Chark's big play ability and experience in a relatively inexperienced wide receiving room. In 15 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Chark demonstrated that he can still be a solid contributor. He posted 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns. The Chargers would certainly welcome those numbers in 2024. Chark is likely off the fantasy radar. However, should he miss game time, there is more intrigue for wide receivers Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston. Chark's absence would especially open the door for Johnston to prove himself in this offense.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) was not seen at the period of practice on Monday that was open to the media. It's no concerning that Chark hasn't practiced at all for the last two weeks with the Chargers due to a hip injury. There's a chance Chark was limited in practice on Monday after reporters left, but we'll have a better idea of his status heading into the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders when the Bolts post their first official injury report on Wednesday. When healthy, the 27-year-old is expected to start in three-wide sets in 2024 in his first year in LA alongside Joshua Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey. Especially considering his injury, Chark has been going undrafted in standard 12-team leagues. If he's limited or out this Sunday, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would enter the starting lineup against Vegas.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (undisclosed) remained on the sideline during Thursday's practice. The veteran wideout was banged up during Monday's practice. Chark has been on the sideline since then as he continues to nurse what is believed to be a hip injury. However, the Chargers haven't commented much on Chark or the injury. The expectation is that Chark is going to miss Saturday's preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Right now, Chark is competing for the third wideout spot alongside Quentin Johnston. Chark hasn't been a viable option in fantasy leagues for a few years. That being said, fantasy managers can leave him on the waiver wire in 12-team redraft formats to begin the season.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark came up limping after the opening play of 11-on-11 work at training camp practice on Monday and was grabbing at his left-hip flexor. It's something to watch for the rest of the practice week and heading into the team's preseason finale this Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. In his first year in LA, the 27-year-old is expected to help replace receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams alongside Joshua Palmer and rookie second-rounder Ladd McConkey in starting three-wide sets. Chark is no stranger to injuries -- he missed 22 games from 2020 to 2022 -- and if he's forced to miss time entering the start of the 2024 regular season, it will open up playing time for former first-rounder Quentin Johnston. Chark should be better than he was in 2023 in a bad Panthers offense if he can stay healthy this year, but he should be left to the waiver wire to begin the year in 12-team leagues.