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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Lands on IR
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 5:07 PM
The Chargers placed Lambert-Smith (hamstring) on injured reserve Saturday.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith is done for the season after catching five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown across 10 games during the regular season. The rookie fifth-round pick will shift his focus to getting healthy for the 2026 campaign, while Kimani Vidal will likely take over as one of the team's primary kick returners during Sunday's wild-card matchup versus the Patriots. |
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Tucker Fisk Tucker Fisk Activated off IR
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 4:56 PM
The Chargers activated Fisk (ankle) off injured reserve Saturday.
Analysis: Fisk has been sidelined since Week 13 but will have a chance to make his return during Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Patriots. While he's still listed as questionable, the 26-year-old should resume his role as the team's No. 2 tight end behind Oronde Gadsden versus New England. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Questionable, plans to play
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 2:14 PM
When asked about his chances of playing in Sunday night's postseason opener against the Patriots, Hampton (ankle) -- who is officially listed as questionable for the contest -- replied, "That's the plan," Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: After logging 'DNPs' both Wednesday and Thursday, Hampton was able to work in a limited fashion Friday while sporting a brace on his right ankle, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. While the running back's assessment of his potential availability this weekend is encouraging, his status will still need to be verified ahead of the Chargers' 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Hampton ends up limited Sunday or even sidelined, added opportunities would be available for fellow RBs Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson. |
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Tucker Fisk Tucker Fisk Could return Sunday
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 2:08 PM
Fisk (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Patriots, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: The Stanford product has missed the Chargers' last six games due to an ankle injury, but following a full week of practice, he could return for Sunday's playoff contest. In 10 appearances this season, Fisk has tallied 19 receiving yards on just two receptions. He must still be activated to the Chargers' active roster in order to play in the wild-card round. If Fisk returns Sunday, he's expected to play a depth role in Los Angeles' tight end corps. |
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Missing wild-card round
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 1:29 PM
Lambert-Smith (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Patriots.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith opened the Chargers' week of practice with consecutive DNPs after sustaining a hamstring injury in the Week 18 loss to the Broncos, so it's no surprise that he won't play Sunday. The rookie wideout from Auburn logged just 53 offensive snaps over 10 regular-season contests this season, catching five of 12 targets for 51 yards and a touchdown. Kimani Vidal will likely step in and operate as one of the Chargers' top kick returners while Lambert-Smith is sidelined for the wild-card round. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Officially questionable for Sunday
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 1:14 PM
Hampton (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card game at New England.
Analysis: After not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, Hampton got back on the field Friday, per Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site, and the rookie first-round pick eventually went down as a limited participant, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Hampton thus has a chance to play for the first time since Week 17 due to an ankle injury, but his status won't be known until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson would be the RBs to benefit this weekend if Hampton is inhibited or sidelined. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Spotted at practice Friday
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 12:04 PM
Hampton (ankle) was present for Friday's practice, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Hampton -- who was listed as a 'DNP' Wednesday and Thursday -- sported a brace on his right ankle during warmups Friday. Still, the running back's attendance for the session is a step in the right direction for him ahead of Sunday night's playoff opener against the Patriots. The Chargers' upcoming injury report will reveal Hampton's official game status, in any case. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Logs another missed practice
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 5:18 PM
Hampton (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in practice Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: Per Smith, offensive coordinator Greg Roman previously noted that Hampton would be "involved some" in Thursday's session, but that didn't equate to the running back -- who also didn't practice Wednesday -- being deemed an official participant. Hampton now has one more opportunity to log practice reps before the Chargers assign injury designations in advance of Sunday night's playoff opener against the Patriots. If he ends up limited or out this weekend, added backfield opportunities would be available for Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Expected to be involved in practice
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:29 PM
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said that Hampton (ankle) will be "involved some" in practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Chargers' upcoming injury report will reveal the official participation level of Hampton, who didn't practice Wednesday. As for the running back's status for Sunday's playoff opener against the Patriots, Roman noted, "We're going to wait and see on that. He's working through his process with the medical group. He's engaged. He's ready mentally with the game plan." |
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Justin Herbert Justin Herbert Logs full practice Wednesday
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 6:04 PM
Herbert (left hand) practiced fully Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Analysis: The Chargers elected to rest Herbert -- who has been managing a left (non-throwing) hand injury -- in the team's Week 18 loss to Broncos, with an eye toward giving their starting QB added healing time ahead of the postseason. On that topic, Herbert said Wednesday that his left hand feels as strong as it has since before he injured it in Week 13. "Not taking hits on it last week was probably pretty helpful," Herbert noted. Moreover, in preparation for Sunday night's wild-card contest against the Patriots, Herbert took snaps under center during Wednesday's session after having previously waited until Saturday or Sunday to do so of late. |
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith KeAndre Lambert-Smith Not practicing Wednesday
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 2:54 PM
Lambert-Smith (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Lambert-Smith suffered a hamstring injury during the Chargers' Week 18 loss to the Broncos and was unable to return to the contest. The 23-year-old has two more chances to participate in practice before Sunday's playoff matchup against the Patriots. Should Lambert-Smith be unable to return, Tre' Harris and Derius Davis could see a slightly higher snap count at wide receiver. |
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Tucker Fisk Tucker Fisk Designated to return from IR
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 2:39 PM
The Chargers designated Fisk (ankle) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Fisk has been on IR with an ankle injury since Dec 8. The tight end's return would be a solid depth addition to a Chargers corps that consists of Oronde Gadsden, Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin. Fisk played in 10 games this year, where he recorded two receptions for 19 yards on two targets. The 26-year-old will have three chances this week to show sufficient practice participation and prove he is ready to suit up for Sunday's playoff game against the Patriots. |
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Omarion Hampton Omarion Hampton Not practicing Wednesday
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 2:10 PM
Hampton (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: This would seem to suggest that Hampton's ankle injury is a real concern, which wasn't clear last week when his absence coincided with the Chargers resting some healthy starters in a loss to Denver. Hampton handled 22 touches in a Week 17 loss to Houston, but he hasn't practiced since, leaving the Chargers with Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson in the backfield as they kick off the week of practice ahead of Sunday's game at New England. |
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Quentin Johnston Quentin Johnston Doesn't play in Week 18
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 7:53 AM
Johnston did not play in Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: Like several other key contributors in the Chargers' offense, the team afforded Johnston the day to rest in Week 18 as Los Angeles looks ahead to the AFC playoffs. The 24-year-old wideout did not see the field Sunday, ending the 2025 regular season with 51 catches for 735 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 targets, adding two rushes for seven yards. Johnston's eight trips to the end zone matched his career high while his receptions and yards nearly matched his totals from last season. The TCU product continues to develop chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert, and he'll look to be an impact player Sunday when the Chargers visit the Patriots in the first round of the wild-card playoffs. |
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Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey Rests in Week 18 loss
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 7:40 AM
McConkey did not play in Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: With the Chargers looking ahead to the AFC playoffs, head coach Jim Harbaugh chose to rest McConkey and many other offensive players against the Broncos. The 24-year-old wideout finished the regular season with 66 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets, all down from his rookie campaign. Despite seeing a dip in his production in his second season, McConkey led the team in receiving yards. The Georgia product will look to have a key role in the Chargers' offensive plans Sunday when the Chargers visit New England in the first round of the wild-card playoffs. |
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Jaret Patterson Jaret Patterson Expanded role with starter resting
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:37 PM
Patterson rushed eight times for 29 yards while adding three receptions on four targets for eight yards in Sunday's 19-3 loss to Denver.
Analysis: Patterson was able to re-emerge in Week 18 with starter Omarion Hampton sitting out the season finale along with several other key players. The 25-year-old Patterson led the Chargers' backfield in touches, although it was QB Trey Lance who led the team in rushing (9-69-0) Sunday. Hampton will be available for the wild-card round of the playoffs, so Patterson can safely be ignored against the Patriots next Sunday. |
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Oronde Gadsden Oronde Gadsden Low volume without starting QB
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 10:26 PM
Gadsden brought in both of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: Gadsden was one of a handful of key players on offense allowed to take the field for the Chargers in Week 18. The 2025 fifth-round pick was able to add a couple of receptions to his rookie total, bringing his final line up to 49-664-3 in 15 appearances this regular season. While the tight end certainly surpassed expectations as a rookie, Gadsden's inconsistent play down the stretch makes him a risky DFS play in the wild-card round, even with QB Justin Herbert back under center. |
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Keenan Allen Keenan Allen Leading receiver on 13 targets
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 9:54 PM
Allen finished with seven receptions on 13 targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: Allen was one of the few starters head coach Jim Harbaugh allowed to suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale against Denver. The 33-year-old Allen responded to last week's one-catch performance by leading his club in targets, receptions and yardage with backup QB Trey Lance under center. Allen produced solid PPR numbers in his return to the Chargers this season, accruing 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games. Look for Allen to serve as a security blanket for QB Justin Herbert against the Patriots in the wild-card round of the playoffs next Sunday. |
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Trey Lance Trey Lance Makes impact with legs Sunday
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 9:44 PM
Lance completed 20 of 44 pass attempts for 136 yards and an interception while gaining 69 yards and losing a fumble on nine carries in Sunday's 19-3 loss to Denver.
Analysis: QB Justin Herbert was a healthy scratch in Week 18 with the Chargers having little to play for regarding playoff seeding. This afforded Lance to make his first start of the season, and the results were mediocre as expected against one of the league's top defensive units. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft was able to put his athleticism on display by gaining 69 yards for desperate fantasy managers. That's where the good feedback ends after Lance completed less than half of his 44 pass attempts, with his only touchdown pass going to the other team via a pick-six in the one-sided loss. Lance will resume his backup role behind Herbert when the Chargers visit the Patriots next Sunday for the wild-card round of the playoffs. |
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Kimani Vidal Kimani Vidal Four touches in Week 18 loss
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 8:53 PM
Vidal rushed three times for 12 yards and caught one pass for a two-yard loss in Sunday's loss to the Broncos.
Analysis: After missing Week 17 with a neck strain, Vidal returned to handle four touches in a game the Chargers punted with an eye toward the playoffs. Jaret Patterson led the backfield with eight carries for 29 yards. Vidal should have more of a role next weekend in Los Angeles' wild-card matchup with New England, but Omarion Hampton (ankle) should be ready to go as the Bolts' lead back after resting against Denver. Hampton is the preferred fantasy option of the duo. |
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