Los Angeles Chargers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Chargers WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) got in his 2nd straight limited practice on Thursday. He's trending toward returning for this weekend's game vs. the Jaguars, but we'll get another update on his status tomorrow.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert (ribs) was limited in Wednesday's practice. His injury is reportedly more of a pain-tolerance issue, so we're tentatively expecting him to play vs. the Jaguars on Sunday. We'll update his status again tomorrow.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. It gives him a shot to return for this weekend's game vs. the Jaguars, but we'll continue to keep an eye on his progress over the next few days.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport calls Chargers QB Justin Herbert's fractured rib cartilage "much more of a pain-tolerance issue than something he could hurt even worse by playing." Herbert has a "chance" to play vs. the Jaguars next Sunday if he can deal with the pain, Rapoport adds. We'll continue to keep a close eye on Herbert's status.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Chargers QB Justin Herbert has fractured rib cartilage. HC Brandon Staley reportedly said the team will assess Herbert’s status Wednesday. If your league runs waivers before that, then make sure you have an insurance QB for Week 3

After underwhelming usage and production in the opener, Chargers RB Austin Ekeler turned in a more promising Week 2. He carried 14 times for just 39 yards but added 9 catches on 10 targets for 55 yards. Ekeler's snap rate climbed from 49% in Week 1 to 63% in Week 2; his route rate from 37% to 60%. If he can stick around that level of usage, Ekeler will be an easy PPR RB1.

Chargers WR Mike Williams hauled in 8 balls on 10 targets for 113 yards and a score in Thursday night's 3-point loss to the Chiefs. He made a contested 39-yard grab to set up Los Angeles' 1st TD and a spectacular 1-handed snare for a 15-yard TD in the 3rd quarter. This, of course, followed a 2-catch, 10-yard dud in the opener. So it's been a very typical Mike Williams start to the season. But we'd bet on plenty more big games the rest of the way -- as long as QB Justin Herbert's injury isn't serious.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert suffered a chest injury in the 4th quarter of Thursday night's loss to the Chiefs. He missed just 1 play but was in obvious pain the rest of the way. The Amazon broadcast reported that Herbert went for x-rays after the game. We'll update his status when we know more. Herbert has 10 days to get ready for a Week 3 meeting with the Jaguars.

Update: HC Brandon Staley said in his post-game press conference that Herbert is “OK” and doesn’t expect his injury to be an issue going forward. He added, however, that they should learn more Friday.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) is out for Thursday night's game vs. the Chiefs. His injury isn't believed to be serious, but he was always unlikely to play on the short week. We'll see if he can make it back for Week 3. Allen's absence will push Josh Palmer onto the field in 2-WR sets and puts him on the WR3/Flex radar.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Chargers WR Keenan Allen's hamstring injury is not expected to be a "long-term" deal. But Pelissero confirms that Allen is "unlikely" to be ready for Thursday night's showdown with the Chiefs. That's obviously a big loss for the Chargers but frees up targets for Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer and Gerald Everett. See where all those guys sit in the Week 2 Rankings.

Chargers WR Mike Williams mustered only 2 catches for 10 yards in Sunday’s win over Vegas. He garnered only 4 targets on 34 Justin Herbert attempts. It’s a surprising result considering the plus matchup — and the early departure from Keenan Allen (hamstring). Of course, we’re looking at just a 1-game sample. And Williams has been historically prone to some hot and cold play. With Allen looking iffy for a Thursday night game at Kansas City, though, Williams will rank right back in fantasy starter range. The veteran saw 9 targets in both matchups with the Chiefs last season.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert picked up where he left off last season, tossing for 279 yards and 3 scores against the Raiders. He played mistake-free football while showing off his absolute cannon of an arm— especially on one pass to WR DeAndre Carter that went for 6. His other scores went to TE Gerald Everett and FB Zander Horvath. Herbert did lose Keenan Allen to a hamstring injury in the 2nd quarter, an injury that figures to sideline him for at least 1 game. The Chargers have a quick turnaround this week with a Thursday road game at Kansas City.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler registered a 49% snap rate and 18 opportunities (carries + targets) in the Week 1 win over the Raiders. He played 58+% of the offensive snaps in all 14 of his healthy games last season. Ekeler averaged 19.1 opportunities across those 14 games, dipping below 18 just 5 times. We'll continue to monitor Ekeler's usage going forward. He remains an obvious must-start but might not be the elite fantasy RB he was last year if the Chargers are serious about scaling back his snaps and touches.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen hurt his left hamstring in the 1st half of Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. He's officially questionable to return, but we'd be surprised if he did. We'll update his status when we know more.

Update: Allen has been ruled out.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller is a healthy scratch for today's opener vs. the Raiders. It'll be RBs Sony Michel and Joshua Kelley behind Austin Ekeler.

Chargers LB Drue Tranquill (back) is active for today's game against the Raiders. He remains a low-end IDP option, though.

The Chargers list LB Drue Tranquill as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders. He turned up on the injury report after hurting his back Friday, which doesn't bode well for his outlook in the opener. Tranquill is listed as a ILB starter on the team's "unofficial" depth chart, next to Kyle Van Noy. His absence would leave room for either Kenneth Murray or Troy Reeder, but we wouldn't plan on using either in Week 1 IDP lineups.

Chargers RB Isaiah Spiller (ankle) returned to practice on Tuesday. He ended up missing 9 days with the ankle injury. Spiller was still sitting 4th on the depth chart when he went down, so he's unlikely to be an early-season factor. But the rookie still has a shot to eventually emerge as the Chargers' #2 RB.

Chargers WR Josh Palmer has cleared the league’s concussion protocol. He took part in individual drills on Wednesday. Palmer, 23 next month, remains a WR5 to target in fantasy drafts.

Insider Jordan Schultz hears that the Chargers are "ecstatic" with WR Josh Palmer's progress and expects an "expanded role with more targets" for the 2nd-year wideout. “He’s got the complete route-tree and he’s hyper-competitive attacking balls," a team source told Schultz "Major worker: One of the best players in camp." Palmer appears locked into the Chargers' #3 WR job. He faces stiff target competition from WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams and RB Austin Ekeler. But QB Justin Herbert should elevate Palmer's per-target production. He's a nice bench stash on fantasy rosters.