Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Grabs five receptions Monday
Rotowire
McConkey (hip) caught five of seven targets for 46 yards in Monday's 17-15 loss to the Cardinals.
McConkey was one of several Chargers' wideouts carrying injury designations heading into Monday's contest. The 2024 second-round pick managed to overcome a hip injury in order to suit up and fill a prominent role on offense. The rookie had a couple drops that hit him in the hands but otherwise looked sharp on his routes while finishing with solid PPR numbers. McConkey remains a reliable option in deeper formats, but he lacks the upside necessary to mark him a must-play option against the Saints on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Suiting up Monday
Rotowire
McConkey (hip) is active for Monday night's game against the Cardinals.
The rookie is in position to be a key target for Justin Herbert after catching nine of 15 targets for 110 yards and a TD over his last two outings. With Quentin Johnston (ankle) inactive, Joshua Palmer also should see his share of opportunities alongside McConkey, with Simi Fehoko, Brenden Rice and Jalen Reagor also available to mix in.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Limited practice Friday
Rotowire
McConkey (hip) was limited at practice Friday.
McConkey was listed as limited on Thursday's practice estimate, a level of participation he maintained a day later. He thus has one more chance to upgrade to full participation and in turn potentially clearing himself ahead of Monday night's game against the Cardinals. With a 19-219-2 line on 32 targets through five games to date, McConkey has carved out a degree of fantasy utility in his first season as pro, thanks to his steady involvement in the Chargers' passing game.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Limited by hip injury
Rotowire
McConkey (hip) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice estimate.
McConkey, who caught four of his eight targets for 43 yards in this past Sunday's 23-16 win over the Broncos, is one of three Chargers' WRs on the team's Week 7 injury report. In addition to McConkey, Quentin Johnston (ankle) was deemed a 'DNP' in Thursday's practice, while Simi Fehoko (shoulder/groin) was listed as limited. The trio's status thus is worth tracking as Monday night's game against the Cardinals approaches.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Leads team in targets
Rotowire
McConkey caught four of his eight targets for 43 yards in the 23-16 victory over the Broncos on Sunday.
McConkey led the team in targets by a wide margin, but quarterback Justin Herbert spread the ball around plenty as nine different players caught a pass in this contest. The rookie second-round pick briefly left the game in the first half due to an injury, but he was able to return relatively quickly. The 22-year-old has at least six targets in all but one game this season, though Los Angeles' run-heavy approach has limited McConkey's weekly fantasy upside.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Best game as pro
Rotowire
McConkey recorded five receptions on seven targets for 67 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Chiefs.
McConkey was one of the few bright spots in Sunday's loss, as he combined both volume and big-play ability in a game for the first time as a pro. He was impressive on the Chargers' opening drive, racking up three catches for 27 yards -- highlighted by a seven-yard touchdown reception. McConkey added a 37-yard catch and run early in the third quarter to cap off the most productive day of his young career. While Los Angeles won't be a pass-heavy offense, McConkey is emerging as Justin Herbert's favorite target.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Tallies another three catches
Rotowire
McConkey caught three of his six targets for 44 yards in the 20-10 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
McConkey's longest reception, an 18-yarder in the fourth quarter, actually came from backup QB Taylor Heinicke, who took over in the final 15 minutes after Justin Herbert appeared to aggravate an ankle injury he had coming into the contest. The rookie now has at least two catches in all three games and is clearly viewed as one of the team's top targets, but with such a heavy emphasis on the running game, it's hard to imagine any Chargers pass catcher putting together an explosive fantasy day, especially if Heinicke is slated to play more in the future.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Records two receptions in Week 2
Rotowire
McConkey hauled in two of four passes for 26 yards during Sunday's 26-3 win in Carolina.
Afforded seven targets Week 1 against the Raiders, McConkey cashed in one of them for a 10-yard TD en route to a 5-39-1 performance in his pro debut. The rookie second-round pick wasn't able to do much with his quartet of looks from QB Justin Herbert this time around, though, finishing with a meager overall receiving line while fellow WR Quentin Johnston (5-51-2 on six targets) paced Chargers pass catchers this weekend. McConkey will have a tough task on his hands next Sunday on the road versus a staunch Steelers defense.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Scores TD in debut
Rotowire
McConkey caught five of his seven targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 22-10 win over the Raiders.
It's worth noting McConkey's touchdown came in the waning moments of the game as the weary Raiders defense sold out to stop the run, allowing the rookie to get wide open on a short crossing route. He easily juked two defenders en route to the end zone. Regardless of how it happened, it's hard to call Sunday's effort anything but a resounding debut considering he led the team in receiving yards and targets despite most coming near the line of scrimmage. The run-centric offensive attack likely won't change in Week 2 when the Chargers travel to take on a Panthers defense that allowed 47 points Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Expected to play Saturday
Rotowire
After not playing in the Chargers' preseason opener, McConkey (undisclosed) is expected to play in Saturday's exhibition against the Cowboys, Gavino Borquez of USA Today reports.
McConkey dressed but didn't play last week, but that's expected to change this weekend after the rookie returned to full practice this week. He's expected to handle a starting role for the Chargers in 2024, but Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark and Quentin Johnston are also in the mix for snaps.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Los Angeles picks up in Round 2
Rotowire
The Chargers selected McConkey in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 34th overall.
McConkey (6-foot, 186 pounds) is a lighter receiver, but the former Georgia standout can threaten defenses from both the slot and the boundary. While the downfield game isn't his primary strength, a 4.39-second 40 at the combine almost by default makes him the Chargers' best deep target. There's also a good chance McConkey is the Chargers' best option for short and intermediate passes -- the main strength of his game in college. While Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston have seniority and size working in their favor, McConkey is the quickest and most skilled of the trio, combining crisp routes with strong work after the catch. McConkey took a clear back seat to TE Brock Bowers in Georgia's target distribution the past three years -- never recording more than 762 receiving yards in a season -- but there's no similar such presence in L.A. now that Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are elsewhere.
