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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Makes three catches Thursday
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 11:08 PM
Johnston secured three of six targets for 18 yards in the Chargers' 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.
Analysis: Johnston played a minor role as his final line implies, finishing the night with the sixth-fewest receiving yards on the Chargers. The second-year speedster had put together back-to-back five-catch, one-touchdown efforts in his previous two games, so Thursday's modest and scoreless line represented a notable downturn. Johnston will look to take advantage of the Patriots' non-Christian Gonzalez inconsistent secondary coverage during a Week 17 road matchup in New England on Saturday, Dec. 28. |
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Joshua Palmer Joshua Palmer Scores on conversion pass in win
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 11:02 PM
Palmer secured three of six targets for 41 yards and caught a two-point conversion pass in the Chargers' 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.
Analysis: The veteran wideout was second to Ladd McConkey in both receptions and receiving yards while tying for the team lead in targets. Palmer's two-point conversion grab was also important, as it gave the Chargers a three-point lead early in the fourth quarter following a Derius Davis go-ahead 19-yard touchdown grab. Palmer remains a clear complementary option in Los Angeles' passing attack that's yet to surpass 78 receiving yards in any game, but he could see some additional opportunities in a Week 17 road clash against the Patriots on Saturday, Dec. 28 if New England's standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez spends the majority of his time on McConkey. |
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Gus Edwards Gus Edwards Excels as lead back Thursday
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 10:58 PM
Edwards rushed 14 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns and brought in one of two targets for three yards in the Chargers' 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.
Analysis: Edwards was the surprising leader of the Chargers' ground attack Thursday night with his highest carry total since Week 2 and best rushing yardage tally of the campaign. The veteran back also flashed his signature red-zone prowess by recording one- and five-yard rushing scores in the first and third quarters, respectively. Edwards' rookie backfield mate Kimani Vidal carried just five times and didn't see any targets, so the former should head into a Week 17 road matchup against the Patriots on Saturday, Dec. 28 with the lead-back job in hand. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Paces pass catchers in win
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 10:53 PM
McConkey secured all six targets for 87 yards in the Chargers' 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.
Analysis: McConkey set the pace in receptions and receiving yards while sharing the team lead in targets with fellow receivers Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston. The rookie wideout final catch of the night came early in the fourth quarter but was critical, as his 17-yard grab took the ball down to the Broncos' 19-yard line and Justin Herbert threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Derius Davis on the next play to give the Chargers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. McConkey has come on strong down the stretch, as he'll head into a Week 17 road matchup against the Patriots on Saturday, Dec. 28 with at least six receptions and 83 receiving yards in four of the last five contests. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Piles up yardage against tough D
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 10:43 PM
Herbert completed 23 of 31 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Chargers' 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday night. He also rushed eight times for 28 yards and threw a two-point conversion pass.
Analysis: Herbert put together a mostly crisp performance that saw him generate his highest passing yardage total since Week 11. The 2020 first-round pick brought the Chargers back from an 11-point third-quarter deficit, connecting with Derius Davis (19 yards) and Hassan Haskins (34 yards) for his pair of touchdown tosses and hitting Joshua Palmer with a two-point conversion pass after the first score. Herbert's clutch second-half performance pushed the Chargers into a tie in the standings with the Broncos at 9-6, and the talented signal-caller will look to carry over the momentum into a Week 17 road battle versus the Patriots on Saturday, Dec. 28. |
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Easton Stick Easton Stick Emergency QB again
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 6:58 PM
Stick (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: The quarterback can only enter the contest if starter Justin Herbert and backup Taylor Heinicke get injured, sick or ejected. Herbert played through ankle and thigh issues in last week's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers, but he did not enter Thursday night with an injury designation. Stick has yet to appear in a game this season. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Back in action Thursday
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 5:56 PM
Hurst (hip) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Broncos, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: Hurst, who had been sidelined since Week 10, was activated from IR ahead of the contest, and in his return to action he'll provide added depth to a tight end corps that will be without Will Dissly (shoulder). In that context, Hurst has an opportunity to get back into the Chargers' passing game mix in short order while working in tandem with fellow TE Stone Smartt, who logged five catches for 50 yards last weekend in Dissly's absence. With a possible timeshare looming, Hurst profiles as a speculative Week 16 fantasy lineup option. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Activated from IR
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 3:48 PM
Hurst (hip) has been activated from IR ahead of Thursday night's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Hurst, who last saw game action Week 10, still carries a questionable designation for the contest, but he's on track to bolster a Chargers' tight end corps that will be without Will Dissly, who's still sidelined with a shoulder injury. Hurst thus should have an opportunity to get right back into the mix Thursday while working alongside fellow TE Stone Smartt, who caught five passes for 50 yards in Week 15 in Dissly's absence. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst On track to be activated
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 10:36 AM
The Chargers plan to activate Hurst (hip) from IR ahead of Thursday night's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Hurst last saw game action in Week 10, but his looming return to the mix arrives at an opportune time, with fellow tight end Will Dissly still sidelined with a shoulder injury. With that in mind, Hurst should have an opportunity to contribute as pass catcher Thursday while working alongside Stone Smartt, who caught five passes for 50 yards in Week 15 with Dissly inactive. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Questionable after full practices
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 3:36 PM
Hurst (hip) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Hurst practiced without limitations Tuesday and Wednesday after being designated to return from injured reserve Monday. If Hurts gains clearance for his first action since Week 10, he could take over atop the depth chart since Will Dislly (shoulder) has been ruled out, though Stone Smartt could push Hurst for playing time. Hurst would need to be officially added back to the roster from IR in order to play Thursday. |
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Will Dissly Will Dissly Won't play Week 16
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 3:33 PM
Dissly (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: Dissly will miss a second consecutive game due to this injury. Hayden Hurst (hip) is questionable and has a chance to return from IR, while Stone Smartt could be in line to maintain an elevated role in Dissly's absence. Dissly's next chance to take the field will be Dec. 28 against the Patriots. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert No injury designation
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 3:29 PM
Herbert (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Broncos.
Analysis: The Chargers held a walk-through practice Wednesday but estimated that Herbert would have been a full participant in a more strenuous session. He was listed with ankle and thigh injuries last week, before suiting up and completing 21 of 33 passes for 195 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 40-17 loss to Tampa Bay. Another loss Thursday night would make the Chargers highly unlikely to enter the AFC playoffs as anything better than the No. 7 seed, while a win would keep them in the running for the fifth or sixth seed. |
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DJ Chark DJ Chark Modest production against Tampa Bay
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 7:33 AM
Chark caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Chark played just nine of the Chargers' 52 offensive snaps in the contest, well behind fellow receivers Ladd McConkey (46), Joshua Palmer (39) and Quentin Johnston (38). The veteran's two receptions, two targets and 16 yards were season highs in each category, highlighting what has been a disappointing season for the 28-year-old. Chark has appeared in just four games for Los Angeles and is clearly not a priority option in the Chargers' passing attack. He should be ignored for fantasy purposes when the Chargers host the Broncos in Week 16. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Five total touches in Week 15
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 7:26 AM
Vidal rushed three times for nine yards and caught two of three targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Vidal played the majority of snaps at running back for Los Angeles, handling 35 offensive snaps while veteran Gus Edward played just 14 snaps. Despite his increase in snap share, the rookie struggled to get much going, as the running game stalled against Tampa Bay's defense throughout the contest. Things won't get easier in Vidal's next game against a formidable Broncos defense. The 23-year-old will remain difficult to trust for fantasy purposes in Week 16. |
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Joshua Palmer Joshua Palmer Minimal production in loss
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 7:17 AM
Palmer caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Analysis: After serving as the Chargers' top target in Week 14, Palmer reverted back to his smaller role with the return of rookie receiver Ladd McConkey. The veteran played 75 percent of the Chargers' offensive snaps, but he was unable to produce much with his few opportunities. Despite a solid share in playing time, Palmer is unlikely to be a trustworthy option for fantasy purposes in the fantasy playoffs. Los Angeles will host the Broncos in Week 16. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Full practice Tuesday
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 9:51 PM
Hurst (hip) was a full participant at the Chargers' practice Thursday.
Analysis: Hurst was designated to return from injured reserve Monday and he officially made his return to the practice field one day later. The tight end has been out since mid-November with a hip injury, missing the Chargers' last four games while on injured reserve. Hurst has caught seven of 12 targets for 65 yards over seven games in 2024 and with Will Dissly (shoulder) still banged up, it's possible that Hurst would operate in a significant role Thursday night versus Denver, if activated from IR. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Limited in practice Tuesday
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 7:40 PM
Herbert (ankle) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice session.
Analysis: Herbert's limited participation Tuesday followed his designation as limited in Monday's walkthrough. The star quarterback is still dealing with an ankle injury he suffered Week 14 against the Chiefs, though the issue didn't prevent him from suiting up this past Sunday in a loss to Tampa Bay. Barring a setback, Herbert seems to be in line to play against Denver on Thursday Night Football this week. |
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Will Dissly Will Dissly Sits out practice Tuesday
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 7:36 PM
Dissly (shoulder) did not participate in practice Tuesday.
Analysis: Dissly was also tagged as DNP on Monday, though that was a walkthrough session. The tight end hurt his shoulder Week 14 against Kansas City and missed this past Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers. If he's out again Thursday, which is a likely scenario, Stone Smartt would likely be in line for another start, though Los Angeles could also be getting back Hayden Hurt (hip) this week. Hurst remains on IR, but he was designated to return Monday and logged a full practice Tuesday. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Good to go for Week 16
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 5:06 PM
Johnston no longer appears on the Chargers' Week 16 injury report and should be available to play Thursday against the Broncos, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Chargers released their initial Week 16 report Monday, which listed Johnston as a non-participant due to an ankle injury. However, Popper notes that Johnston's inclusion on the report was a mistake, and the Chargers instead intended to list left guard Zion Johnson with the ankle injury. Johnston is coming off a busy outing in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers, as he saw a season-high 10 targets and finished with five catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. |
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Hayden Hurst Hayden Hurst Resumes practicing
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 4:20 PM
The Chargers designated Hurst (hip) for return from injured reserve Monday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hurst missed the minimum four games after being placed on injured reserve Nov. 25, but he's made enough progress in his recovery from the hip injury to resume on-field work. The Chargers aren't likely to hold a full slate of practices this week in advance of Thursday's game in Denver, so the veteran tight end may not be able to get in sufficient reps to prove his health. Whether Hurst is activated from IR for this week's game or at some point before his 21-day practice window closes, his playing time is likely to hinge on the status of top tight end Will Dissly (shoulder), who sat out Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers and is trending toward missing a second straight game Tuesday. |
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