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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Sits out again Thursday
Thu, Sep 17, 2026, 5:17 PM
McConkey (ribs) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report.
Analysis: McConkey was spotted working with the training staff during the media-viewing portion of Thursday's session, and he wound up not getting any work in for the second time in as many days. Head coach Jim Harbaugh tagged McConkey day-to-day earlier this week, but the wide receiver will be hard-pressed to take the field Sunday against the Raiders if he sits out again Friday. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Working on side field Thursday
Thu, Sep 17, 2026, 3:14 PM
McConkey (rib) is working off to the side with a trainer at Thursday's practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McConkey doesn't appear ready to take any contact yet after absorbing a big hit on an attempted catch over the middle in this past Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, which forced him out of the game. If McConkey isn't ready to play Sunday against the Raiders, Brenen Thompson, Derius Davis and Gary Jennings could take on larger roles alongside Quentin Johnston and Tre' Harris. |
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Does not practice Wednesday
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 7:00 PM
Molden (hamstring) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's practice report.
Analysis: Molden tweaked his hamstring during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals this past Sunday, finishing the game with five tackles (three solo). He'll have two more chances to return to practice in at least a limited capacity ahead of the Chargers' Week 2 tilt against the Raiders this Sunday. Rookie fourth-rounder Genesis Smith and veteran Tony Jefferson would be the top candidates to start at safety alongside Derwin James if Molden is not cleared to play against Las Vegas. |
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Derius Davis Derius Davis Practices in full Wednesday
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 6:56 PM
Davis (undisclosed) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Analysis: Davis sustained an unspecified injury during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals in Week 1, but his full practice participation Wednesday puts the 2023 fourth-rounder on track to play against the Raiders on Sunday. Davis returned two kickoffs for 33 yards and recorded a tackle prior to his exit against Arizona. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Not practicing Wednesday
Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 2:17 PM
McConkey (ribs) won't practice Wednesday, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: McConkey is in recovery mode after taking a huge hit from a Cardinals defender during this past Sunday's Week 1 loss. Initially deemed to have a chest injury, the issue was clarified as to his ribs Monday, at which point coach Jim Harbaugh called McConkey day-to-day. McConkey now has a baseline set as the Chargers kick off Week 2 prep, meaning he likely will need to mix into drills Thursday or Friday to give himself a chance to be available Sunday against the Raiders. |
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Gets to Brissett in Week 1 loss
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 9:45 PM
Henley posted eight tackles (two solo), including 0.5 sacks, during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Analysis: Henley's 67 defensive snaps and eight tackles were both second-most on the Chargers behind Derwin James (75 snaps, 10 tackles). Henley combined with Troy Dye to sack Jacoby Brissett on third down midway through the fourth quarter, forcing the Cardinals to punt on the next play. Henley reached the tackling century mark in both 2024 and 2025 and is well on pace to do so again this year. |
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Double-digit stops in loss
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 7:42 PM
James recorded 10 total tackles (seven solo) and a pass defensed in Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: James opened the season with a vintage performance, notching double-digit stops after having only done so twice over 16 regular-season contests in 2025. The safety was on the field for all 75 of the team's defensive snaps, and he appears to be on track to remain rather busy on the back end of the Chargers' defense again this year. |
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Lands on injured reserve
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 6:20 PM
The Chargers placed Lambert-Smith (hamstring) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith suffered a significant hamstring injury during the Chargers' Week 1 loss against the Cardinals, warranting a stint on the IR. As such, the second-year pro will be required to miss at least the next four games and is eligible to return for Week 6 against the Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 18, though he may need more time to recover. Gary Jennings was signed to the Chargers' 53-man roster in a corresponding move. |
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Gary Jennings Gary Jennings Back with Bolts on active roster
Tue, Sep 15, 2026, 6:16 PM
The Chargers signed Jennings to a contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Jennings was cut from the Chargers' practice squad Sept. 7, but he's back with the team on the 53-man roster to add depth at wide receiver after KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve. Jennings has not played in a regular-season game since 2019 as a member of the Dolphins, but he could see some reps in the Chargers' Week 2 tilt against the Raiders on Sunday if one or both of Ladd McConkey (ribs) and Derius Davis (undisclosed) were ruled out. |
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Set to miss time with hamstring injury
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 8:22 PM
Lambert-Smith (hamstring) will miss some time after exiting last Sunday's game against the Cardinals early, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith exited the second half of last Sunday's contest with a significant hamstring injury. The wide receiver will likely miss multiple weeks due to the issue. The Chargers will need to look for some practice squad elevations at wide receiver with Lambert-Smith out and Derius Davis (undisclosed) also dealing with an injury. No. 1 wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) is also dealing with an injury, leaving the team even thinner at the position. |
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Day-to-day with hamstring issue
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 8:12 PM
Molden (hamstring) did not return to Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.
Analysis: Molden exited the third quarter of last Sunday's contest with a hamstring injury and is now day-to-day as he deals with the issue. If the starting free safety cannot participate in multiple limited practices or full practices throughout Week 2, he will likely not be able to suit up for next Sunday's game against the Raiders. |
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Derius Davis Derius Davis Injured during interception
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 8:09 PM
Davis (undisclosed) is day-to-day with an injury he suffered during Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: Davis appears to have been injured on Justin Herbert's fourth-quarter interception as safety Andrew Wingard crushed him in the process of catching the ball. The wide receiver's status for next Sunday's game against the Raiders will depend on his practice participation throughout Week 2. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Sees little playing time Week 1
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 6:33 PM
Vidal played five snaps (four on offense, one on special teams) and didn't show up on the box score otherwise during then Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Analysis: Vidal was an afterthought in the Chargers' plans on offense, with Omarion Hampton (32 snaps) and Keaton Mitchell (17) collectively getting the bulk of the backfield work in Week 1. Vidal was also not used as a returner, though that could change for Week 2 against the Raiders on Sept. 20 if Derius Davis (undisclosed) was ruled out for that contest. |
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Oronde Gadsden Oronde Gadsden Catches two passes in limited action
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 6:29 PM
Gadsden caught both of his targets for 32 yards during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Analysis: Gadsden's 10 snaps on offense were a distant third among Chargers tight ends behind Charlie Kolar and David Njoku (30 each), with Gadsden also seeing the field for eight snaps on special teams. The second-year tight end did connect with Justin Herbert on a 26-yard pass in the second quarter, and Gadsden could see his role in the passing game expand in Week 2 against the Raiders if wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) were to be sidelined. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Brings in all five targets in Week 1 loss
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 6:22 PM
Njoku caught five passes on as many targets for 58 yards during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Analysis: Njoku's 30 snaps on offense were tied with Charlie Kolar for most among Chargers tight ends, yet it was the former that was more heavily involved in the passing game, co-leading the team in catches while finishing second in both targets and yards behind wideout Ladd McConkey (ribs). Four of Njoku's five catches went for 10-plus yards, with three of those receptions resulting in first downs. Njoku's role in the Chargers' passing attack could expand for Week 2 against the Raiders this Sunday if McConkey was not cleared to play. |
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Charlie Kolar Charlie Kolar No offensive output Week 1
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 6:16 PM
Kolar played 43 snaps (30 on offense, 13 on special teams) without showing up in the box score otherwise during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Analysis: Kolar and David Njoku tied for the most offensive snaps among Chargers tied ends Sunday with Oronde Gadsden (10 snaps) a distant third. Kolar did not see a target from Justin Herbert during Sunday's loss, though that's not entirely surprising considering he posted a 10-142-2 receiving line (on 15 targets) across 17 regular-season games with the Ravens last year. Gadsden and Njoku figure to operate as the Chargers' pass-catching tight ends this season, with Kolar more heavily involved as a blocker and in goal line packages as an occasional red zone threat. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Logs three catches Week 1
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 6:13 PM
Harris caught three of six targets for 20 yards in Sunday's loss to Arizona.
Analysis: Harris tied for the second-most targets on his team, but he couldn't do much with those looks. Fellow wideout Quentin Johnston didn't do any better, catching just two of his six targets for 17 yards, yet both wideouts might be asked to step up if Ladd McConkey (ribs) isn't able to play next Sunday versus Las Vegas. Harris also logged nine special-teams snaps Sunday, but he wasn't a major contributor in that regard last season. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Receives day-to-day label from coach
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 3:44 PM
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh labeled McConkey (rib) as day-to-day Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Harbaugh added that the Chargers will see how McConkey progresses throughout the week before determining his availability for Sunday's game agains the Raiders.
Analysis: McConkey delivered a 5-82-1 line on seven targets before exiting late in the third quarter of Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Cardinals due to what the Chargers initially referred to as a chest injury. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network clarified earlier Monday that McConkey is instead recovering from a rib issue, and the wideout was set to undergo further testing. While Harbaugh didn't elaborate on what medical testing revealed, McConkey appears to have avoided anything significant. That said, McConkey's status for Week 2 appears to be in flux at the moment, and his activity in practices Wednesday through Friday likely will be the determining factor in whether or not he suits up Sunday. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Undergoing testing for ribs injury
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 12:42 PM
McConkey will undergo further testing Monday for a potential rib injury sustained in Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Cardinals, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: McConkey was knocked out of the game late in the third quarter after absorbing a thunderous hit over the middle. He immediately grabbed at his chest and back, and the Chargers initially classified the injury as a chest issue. McConkey will presumably undergo X-rays and an MRI on Monday, and the team will then likely provide an update on the exact nature of his injury. |
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Cameron Dicker Cameron Dicker Pair of PATs in stunning loss
Mon, Sep 14, 2026, 10:59 AM
Dicker converted both of his point-after tries in Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: It was a stunning loss by the Chargers after they were installed as double-digit favorites at home against Arizona. Still the most accurate kicker in NFL history with a 93.5 percent success rate on field goals, Dicker was fantasy's No. 5 overall kicker in points per game last season, as he made 38 of 41 field-goal tries and 34 of 35 PATs. The Chargers will try to right the ship next Sunday at home against the Raiders. |
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