Chargers HC Anthony Lynn announced Monday that QB Philip Rivers is in the concussion protocol. He didn't leave Sunday's loss to the Jaguars early, so the symptoms must have arisen Monday. We'll see about his status this week, but it obviously doesn't bode well for Sunday's game against the Bills. Kellen Clemens and Cardale Jones are the backups, with the team website listing Clemens #2.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Chargers will be activating rookie WR Mike Williams from the PUP and adding him to the 53-man roster. That's a surprising move after Williams spent the summer dealing with a back injury. He seemed a strong candidate to open the regular season on the PUP. This decision signals that Chargers coaches expect the 1st-round pick to be ready to contribute within the season's 1st quarter. We'd still be wary of expecting any fantasy value from Williams, but the added pass-catching talent can only help Philip Rivers.

The Chargers selected Clemson WR Mike Williams with the 7th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He joins a loaded offense that also includes Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates. A scary neck injury cost Williams almost the entire 2015 campaign. But he turned in a strong 57-1,030-6 line as a sophomore and then exploded for 98 catches, 1,361 yards and 11 TDs this past year. Williams is a mediocre athlete who doesn’t create much separation at the top of his routes, but strong body control and hands make him dominant in contested situations. The question is whether those skills will translate to the next level against stronger DBs. Los Angeles isn’t an ideal landing spot, with loads of target competition in the short term and a QB question long term (Philip Rivers is 35).

On the same day they announced their relocation to Los Angeles, the Chargers named Anthony Lynn their new HC. Lynn has 17 seasons of experience in the NFL, but all but 1 of those were spent as a special teams or RB coach. Lynn was promoted to OC in Buffalo prior to Week 3 of this past season and was then named interim HC for the season finale. The Bills averaged 25.8 points per game under Lynn's watch -- a mark that would have ranked 8th league-wide. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chargers are hoping to retain OC Ken Whisenhunt and hire Gus Bradley as DC.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen suffered an apparent right knee injury in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game against the Chiefs. He had to be carted off the field. This obviously looks like a significant injury, but we'll update his status when we learn more. His absence would leave San Diego with WRs Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and Dontrelle Inman atop the WR depth chart. TE Antonio Gates would probably be the biggest beneficiary.

WR Travis Benjamin is set to sign with the Chargers when free agency officially begins later today, according to NFL Network's Rand Getlin.  Benjamin drew interest from at least 2 others teams after a breakout 68-966-5 line in 2015.  Still smack dab in his prime at 26 years old, Benjamin will serve as the deep-threat complement to WR Keenan Allen in San Diego.  He'll basically be replacing Malcom Floyd, who maxed out as a WR3 in fantasy football.  Don't bank on much more than that from Benjamin.

The Chargers have hired Ken Whisenhunt as OC.  He failed miserably as the Titans' HC but has a strong track record as OC.  Whiz held that title in San Diego back in 2013, helping the Chargers finish 5th in total yards and 12th in points.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers (illness) is active for today’s game against the Chiefs. He’ll be playing with the flu in wet, windy conditions with a depleted WR corps. Rivers is a low-end QB2 for Week 14.

The forecast for this afternoon's Chargers-Chiefs game calls for an 85% chance of rain with 10-14 mph winds.  This set up as a run-heavy, low-scoring game to begin with, and the weather will only add to that.  With WRs Stevie Johnson and Dontrelle Inman out and QB Philip Rivers playing with the flu, San Diego's passing game figures to struggle.  That'll only make it easier for the Chiefs to ride their running game.

The Chargers signed QB Brad Sorensen from the practice squad Saturday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, as QB Philip Rivers deals with flu-like symptoms. The team expects Rivers to play Sunday in Kansas City, however. We'd rather not use him in fantasy even if he's ready to go, though. The Chargers managed just 3 points in their earlier home meeting with the Chiefs.

Michael Gehlken confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Chargers WR Keenan Allen will miss the rest of the season because of the lacerated kidney he suffered Sunday against Baltimore. That raises the fantasy profiles of WRs Malcom Floyd, Stevie Johnson and Dontrelle Inman the rest of the way, and leaves targets on the field for TE Ladarius Green and the RBs as well. Losing his #1 WR lowers the ceiling for QB Philip Rivers a bit, but he has spread the ball around quite well so far in an offense that must lean heavily on him with little going in the run game.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers was pulled in the 4th quarter of Sunday's game.  He took some big shots, including 1 to the ribs that had him in obvious pain.  San Diego was trailing 31-7 when Rivers was yanked.  We'll look for an update on his status after the game.

Update: Rivers said after the game that he just got the wind knocked out of him.  He should be fine for Week 4.

The Chargers announced late Saturday a 4-year extension with QB Philip Rivers. The deal will reportedly average $21 million a year and includes $65 million in guarantees. That should end any speculation of Rivers finishing his career anywhere else. The veteran looks like a solid value in 2015 fantasy football drafts, with upside well into the top 10.

Chargers TE Antonio Gates has been suspended 4 games for violating the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy.  Gates admitted to taking "supplements and holistic medicines" this offseason to recover, although he claims he didn't know they contained banned substances.  The 4-game suspension obviously puts a sizable dent in the fantasy outlook of a guy who was looking like 1 of the better values at TE.  Gates was going in the 10th round of 12-team PPR drafts prior to the news.  We'll see how far his ADP drops.  He could still end up as a solid target as a probable TE1 over the final 12 games.  Meanwhile, uber-athlete Ladarius Green becomes an intriguing spot starter while Gates is out.  And a strong performance then could earn him a bigger role the rest of the way.  WRs Keenan Allen, Stevie Johnson and Malcom Floyd also figure to see a few extra targets those first 4 games.  QB Philip Rivers' stock takes a small hit.

WR Stevie Johnson has signed a 3-year deal with the Chargers.  He was mostly invisible as the 49ers' #3 WR this past season.  But Johnson will only be 29 when the 2015 season kicks off and has a trio of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt.  We'll bet on him winning the #2 WR job in San Diego, pushing 33-year-old Malcom Floyd into more of a situational deep threat role.  Johnson's upside is probably capped around low-end WR3 territory, but his addition is a nice boost for QB Philip Rivers.