Joshua Palmer's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Ladd McConkey (toe) and Joshua Palmer (foot) were both listed as non-participants in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. McConkey is dealing with a new injury, but he seemed fine in the Week 17 beatdown of the New England Patriots, when he had eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. The 23-year-old second-rounder has been a must-start in fantasy all year in his first season in the NFL as quarterback Justin Herbert's favorite target. However, the Chargers could rest him and other key starters on offense in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. If the Steelers beat the Bengals on Saturday, the Bolts would be locked into the No. 6 seed in the AFC for the playoffs and wouldn't have much incentive to play their starters.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (heel) shouldn't require a stint on the injured reserve, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh. Palmer was seen wearing a walking boot following Saturday's win over the New England Patriots. This comes after Palmer was forced to exit during the second half on Saturday due to a heel injury. The expectation is that the Chargers are going to hold out Palmer for Week 18. However, the 25-year-old might be ready to play in time for the playoffs. The absence of Palmer should mean more targets for Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Possibly, DJ Chark gets more involved as the third wideout, but he's not a reliable fantasy option.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (heel) is questionable to return to Saturday's game with a heel injury. The wideout sustained this injury during the third quarter of the game. Before exiting, Palmer brought in four of his six targets for 41 yards. His longest reception of the game went for 19 yards. At the time of departing, he had the third-most targets on the team, behind only Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer is too risky to trust in a critical Week 17 fantasy week. The Chargers will take on the New England Patriots on Saturday, and while that's a good matchup for Palmer, he's been playing in much more of a support role in the Bolts passing game than anything close to a featured one. He's had one week with double-digit fantasy points in the past seven games, and while he's developed a floor of around three or four fantasy points, that's not something you want to rely on in most league's fantasy championship week. Palmer is best left on the bench or the waiver wire in most formats.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer made three catches in a Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos. Palmer tied for the team lead in targets with six, making his three catches for 41 yards. He also made an incredible catch to score on a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. Palmer made some solid plays in this game and remains an important part of the Chargers offense on the field, but it just isn't translating to fantasy value. He and the Bolts will face the Patriots on Saturday in Week 17.