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Trey Lance Trey Lance Getting Week 18 starting nod
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 3:44 PM
Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Lance will start next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Broncos, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Harbaugh said Justin Herbert and other important Chargers starters will rest Week 18. Herbert isn't even on track to suit up, per Rhim, so DJ Uiagalelei is expected to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as the QB2 behind Lance. Lance has appeared in three games this season, completing seven of 13 passes for 90 scoreless yards. Facing Denver's No. 1 defense with a skeleton crew around him, Lance will not be a recommended fantasy target. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Will rest Week 18
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 3:40 PM
Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Herbert and other Los Angeles starters will rest for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Broncos, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: After losing to the Texans on Saturday, the Chargers still can be anywhere from the No. 5 to 7 seed in the AFC side of the playoffs, but it appears the team will prioritize the health of Herbert and other key players this coming weekend, as Harbaugh told Kris Rhim of ESPN.com that those with "the most bruises" and need "the most healing" won't play. Herbert will get two weeks to rest up after absorbing a career-high 54 sacks during the regular season. Trey Lance figures to get the nod under center for Week 18. |
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Keenan Allen Keenan Allen Just one catch in Week 17 loss
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 11:22 AM
Allen caught one pass (on three targets) for 17 yards during the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: Allen caught a 17-yard pass from Justin Herbert late in the third quarter, but that was the only reception the veteran wide receiver recorded during Saturday's loss. It was Allen's lowest production in a game this season and the first time he was limited to just one catch since Week 15 of the 2020 season. The Chargers' loss clinched the AFC West division for the Broncos, and with the two squads facing each other Week 18, Allen and the rest of the Chargers' starters may sit or operate on a snap count as the Bolts gear up for a postseason run. |
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Will Dissly Will Dissly Two catches vs. Houston
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:32 AM
Dissly caught both of his targets for 19 yards during the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: Dissly wasn't too far behind fellow tight end Oronde Gadsden (3-32-1 on six targets) despite the former playing just seven of 63 offensive snaps (11.1 percent) during Saturday's loss, which clinched the AFC West division for the Broncos. Dissly's role against Denver in Week 18 could be expanded if the Chargers opt to sit their starters. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Turns two touches into 15 yards
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:26 AM
Harris hauled in his lone target for eight yards and logged a seven-yard carry during the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: Harris entered Saturday's game having accrued five targets in each of the prior two contests, but he was targeted only once by Justin Herbert in the loss. Harris has accumulated 12 catches (on 17 targets) for 159 yards over his last five games, firmly operating as a depth wideout behind Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. The Chargers' Week 17 loss clinched the AFC West division for the Broncos, so if the Bolts end up resting starters in Week 18 against Denver, that could give Harris an opportunity to take on an expanded role in the offense. |
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Jaret Patterson Jaret Patterson Used mostly as kick returner
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:20 AM
Patterson turned his lone carry into one yard and logged 58 yards on two kickoff returns during the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: Even with Kimani Vidal (neck) inactive for Saturday's game, Patterson firmly operated as the Chargers' RB3 behind Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins (head). However, Patterson did get an opportunity as a kickoff returner due to the absences of Vidal and Derius Davis (ankle), and that could be Patterson's main path to playing time in the Chargers' Week 18 tilt against the Broncos. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Big gain on one catch
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 7:32 PM
McConkey brought in one of two targets for 31 yards and returned two punts for 13 yards in the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: McConkey's inconsistent production persisted in Saturday's key game, although the second-year wideout made a significant contribution on his one catch. McConkey hasn't cleared 43 receiving yards in five consecutive games, but he'll still head into the Week 18 road matchup against the Broncos with an outside chance of recording the 111 receiving yards he'd need to hit the 900-yard mark for the second time in as many pro seasons. |
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Oronde Gadsden Oronde Gadsden Mixed bag in Week 17 loss
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 7:24 PM
Gadsden brought in three of six targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: Gadsden had two diametrically opposite experiences in the red zone Saturday, first having a ball bounce off his hands inside the five-yard line and landing in the hands of the Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair to extinguish a golden late first-half scoring opportunity. The rookie tight end then atoned to a degree with a one-yard touchdown grab late in the third quarter, his third career score and first since Week 8. Gadsden should continue filling a key role in the Week 18 road regular-season finale against the Broncos. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Paces pass catchers in loss
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 7:17 PM
Johnston brought in five of eight targets for 98 yards in the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: Johnston got off to a slow start, but he ended up giving his day a significant boost via a team-high 60-yard catch late in the first half. The speedster finished with a team-high yardage tally and co-led the Chargers in targets as well, and Johnston is now averaging 101.5 receiving yards over his last two contests as a Week 18 road clash against the Broncos approaches. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Hefty pass-catching role in loss
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 7:11 PM
Hampton rushed 14 times for 29 yards and a touchdown and brought in all eight targets for 31 yards in the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Analysis: As his final line suggests, Hampton repeatedly ran into a proverbial brick wall against the Texans' nearly impenetrable front. However the rookie finished with a team-high reception total while also co-leading the Chargers in targets, and he gave his day a serious boost by recording a five-yard touchdown run with just under four minutes remaining. Hampton's average of 2.1 yards per carry was a new career low, and he's stuck with another unenviable matchup in a Week 18 road clash against the Broncos. |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Gutsy performance in loss
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 7:04 PM
Herbert completed 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards with a touchdown and an interception and rushed six times for 37 yards in the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday. He also committed two fumbles but recovered both.
Analysis: Herbert's busy stat line and the five sacks he took all speak to the unsurprisingly tough day he endured against a talented Texans defense. In fairness, the sixth-year signal-caller's one interception was costly but also not truly his fault, as a pass intended for Oronde Gadsden near the goal line bounced off the rookie tight end's hands and into those of the Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair to short-circuit a surefire scoring opportunity. Herbert also appeared to have aggravated his preexisting left-hand injury after a first-half sack per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, but he never saw a trainer. Herbert and the Chargers were unable to capitalize on an opportunity to clinch at least the No. 5 seed with a victory, adding additional importance to their Week 18 road game against the Broncos. |
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Hassan Haskins Hassan Haskins Being evaluated for a head injury
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 6:22 PM
Haskins (head) is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Texans.
Analysis: Haskins exited the game in the fourth quarter after sustaining a potential head injury. The running back accumulated one solo tackle on special teams before his exit. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Inactive Saturday
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 2:08 PM
Vidal (neck) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Texans, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: Vidal was listed as a non-participant in practice both Tuesday and Wednesday before being estimated as limited on Thursday's report and questionable for Saturday's contest. With Vidal having been made inactive, added touches will be available for fellow RB Omarion Hampton, which boosts the 2025 first-rounder's Week 17 fantasy prospects, while Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson are available to mix in. Vidal's next chance to see game action will arrive in Week 18, when the Chargers travel to Denver for a game that may have major playoff seeding implications. |
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Derius Davis Derius Davis Ruled out for Week 17
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:33 PM
Davis (ankle) is ruled out for Saturday's game against the Texans.
Analysis: Davis will miss a third consecutive game due to his lingering ankle issue. He wasn't able to take the practice field in any capacity during Week 17 prep, meaning Davis' status could also be up-in-the-air again in Week 18. As long as Davis remains sidelined, KeAndre Lambert-Smith will stand to operate as the Chargers' starting kick returner, while Ladd McConkey takes over punt-return duties. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Questionable for Saturday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 3:57 PM
Vidal (neck) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Texans after being listed as a limited participant on Thursday's practice estimate.
Analysis: Vidal was deemed a non-participant both Tuesday and Wednesday, with the running back's estimated limited listing Thursday offering hope that he may be available this weekend. Look for added context regarding Vidal's Week 17 status to arrive late Friday or early Saturday, but if he's made inactive for the Chargers' 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, added touches would be available for fellow RB Omarion Hampton, with Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson on hand in reserve. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Remains sidelined Wednesday
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 5:06 PM
Vidal (neck) didn't practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Vidal also logged a 'DNP' on Tuesday, so what the running back is able to do Thursday -- if anything -- will be pivotal in terms of his chances of playing Saturday against the Texans. If Vidal is unavailable this weekend, Omarion Hampton would figure to be busy against Houston, with fellow RBs Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson in reserve. |
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Derius Davis Derius Davis Deemed DNP on Tuesday
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 6:29 PM
Davis (ankle) was listed as a non-participant for Tuesday's practice.
Analysis: Davis has missed the Chargers' past two games while dealing with an ankle injury. His DNP listing to begin this week isn't a promising sign for his return to action, though he'll have two more opportunities to practice in some capacity this week ahead of Saturday's matchup versus the Texans. Davis has had a minor role on offense when healthy, but he's also worked as the team's lead kick and punt returner, and those duties have fallen to KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Ladd McConkey, respectively, while Davis has been out. |
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Tre' Harris Tre' Harris Sidesteps injury report
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 6:03 PM
Harris (finger) didn't appear on the Chargers' initial Week 17 injury report released Tuesday.
Analysis: Following Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cowboys, head coach Jim Harbaugh classified Harris as day-to-day with a finger issue, but the injury wasn't enough of a concern for the Chargers to list the rookie wideout on their weekly report. Harris thus looks to be in the clear for Saturday's game against the Texans, but he'll likely have to settle for more of a part-time role on offense after Quentin Johnston (groin) returned from a one-game absence in Week 16. Harris had handled a season-high 85 percent snap share in Week 15 while Johnston was sidelined, but Harris dropped back to a 45 percent share against Dallas. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Sits out practice
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 6:00 PM
Vidal (neck) was a non-participant in Tuesday's practice.
Analysis: Vidal was forced out late in this past Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cowboys due to a neck strain and is being viewed as day-to-day ahead of the Chargers' Week 17 game Saturday versus the Texans. He'll need to upgrade to at least limited participation in practices Wednesday and Thursday to have a shot at playing this weekend. |
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Jaret Patterson Jaret Patterson Signed to active roster
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 1:42 PM
The Chargers signed Patterson to the active roster from the practice squad Tuesday.
Analysis: Patterson has bounced between the Chargers' practice squad and active roster all season. The running back has played in four games, totalling 129 rush yards and a rushing touchdown on 32 attempts. With Kimani Vidal (neck) questionable, Patterson could see carries in Sunday's game against the Texans as a rotational back behind the starter Omarion Hampton. |
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