The Chargers’ latest injury report has turned Oronde Gadsden into one of the most interesting names on the board for Sunday’s game against the Broncos.
With Quentin Johnston and Brenen Thompson already ruled out and Ladd McConkey questionable because of a foot injury, Justin Herbert may have to lean harder on his tight ends than usual. For a Los Angeles offense that needs help in the worst way, that could mean a much bigger workload for Gadsden.
The rookie tight end is coming off his most active game of the season against the Seattle Seahawks, when he caught five of eight targets for 36 yards. He also had a two-yard carry as the Chargers tried to keep finding ways to get him involved.
The production wasn’t eye-popping, but the usage mattered. Through four games, Gadsden has nine catches for 86 yards and one touchdown, and the Chargers clearly want more from him.
The matchup with Denver might force the issue.
Gadsden gives Herbert a different kind of target. At 6-foot-5, he can work the middle of the field and create problems for linebackers and defensive backs. That size gives him a built-in edge that the Chargers’ smaller, quicker receivers don’t offer, and with the offense still looking for rhythm, getting him the ball more often could be one of the cleaner ways to generate some movement.
Los Angeles still has other pass-catching options available. Tre’ Harris and Derius Davis are expected to pick up the slack at receiver with Johnston and Thompson out. But McConkey’s status makes the whole picture messier, and the more uncertainty there is at wideout, the more valuable a dependable tight end becomes.
There’s also a potential opportunity in the tight end room itself. David Njoku remains on injured reserve with a fibula injury, and Charlie Kolar is questionable with a forearm injury. If Kolar can’t go, Gadsden could see an even larger slice of the snaps and targets that are available.
That matters for a Chargers team that has started the season 0-4 and is still hunting for answers on offense. The injuries haven’t made life easier, but the unit still has to find a way to move the ball and score points.
Sunday gives Gadsden a chance to build on what he showed last week. Herbert has already shown a willingness to look his way, and the current injury situation could create more chances than Gadsden would normally see. If he makes the most of them, he could end up being one of the key pieces in the Chargers’ passing game against Denver.
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