Ladd McConkey’s status became the Chargers’ biggest question heading into Sunday after the wide receiver returned to practice Friday and was listed as questionable for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium.
McConkey had spent the early part of the week on the side, going through rest on Monday and Tuesday before rehab work on the practice field Wednesday and Thursday. That pointed toward a likely absence after he left last Sunday’s 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a rib injury.
Then came Friday. McConkey joined his teammates for the final practice of the week, wearing a yellow don’t-hit-me jersey while watching from the side as the other receivers went through individual drills during the portion open to reporters.
His availability matters because the Chargers already know they’ll be thin at receiver. KeAndre Lambert-Smith was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after suffering a hamstring injury in the loss to the Cardinals.
He did not catch a pass in the season opener. Derius Davis is another possibility if McConkey can’t go, though Davis also left the Cardinals game with a calf injury after a fourth-down pass was intercepted by Arizona safety Andrew Wingard.
That was the only time Herbert targeted Davis.
McConkey’s absence against Arizona was felt quickly. He was Herbert’s favorite target in Week 1, catching five passes on seven targets for a team-high 82 yards and a touchdown.
The offense faded in the fourth quarter after he exited. Tight end David Njoku also caught five passes against Arizona.
“He’s been doing everything he could do,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said of McConkey, who set franchise rookie records in 2024 with 82 receptions, 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, he finished with 66 catches for 789 yards and six TDs.
The Chargers’ injury report also listed cornerback Deane Leonard as questionable with an injured abdomen. Safety Elijah Molden (hamstring) and left guard Trey Pipkins III (knee) were ruled out against the Raiders, and Kayode Awosika is set to start at left guard. Pipkins and Awosika rotated there against Arizona.
Sunday’s game also comes with the Chargers still sorting through the fallout from a key decision against the Cardinals. Harbaugh chose to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the Arizona 3-yard line with two minutes left in the first half and the Chargers trailing 10-7. Herbert was sacked for a 10-yard loss, and the Cardinals answered with a field goal to go up 13-7.
Ryan Ficken said the decision was part of a plan, not a spur-of-the-moment gamble.
“We have a plan for going for it in every situation, depending on the opponent,” Ficken said. “Everything from where you are on the field to the score in the game to the opponent you’re playing to how the game flows - there are an infinite number of examples.”
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Klint Kubiak still listed Bowers as doubtful for the matchup with Los Angeles, with his final participation status yet to be settled. For a Chargers defense that would rather not see the Raiders tight end working full speed, the early outlook offers a possible break, even if the week still has time to change the picture. [Read more 🡒]