As 9.5-point favorites, the Chargers began the 2026 season with a 26-14 loss vs. the Cardinals. Los Angeles WR Ladd McConkey left the game with a rib injury, making a clear impact on the game, as the Bolts were outscored 10-0 without their WR1 on the field in the fourth quarter.
Week 2 brings an AFC West clash against the Raiders, with a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, September 20. With only a few days before kickoff, McConkey’s chance to return from injury is firmly in doubt.
Below, we’ll look at the latest Ladd McConkey injury update and what a potential absence would mean for fantasy football and Raiders vs. Chargers picks on PrizePicks.
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Ladd McConkey Injury Update: Is McConkey Playing in Week 2?
During the third quarter of Sunday’s game, McConkey exited the matchup following a hit over the middle of the field. It was initially tabbed anything from a rib injury to a hip or chest contusion.
On Monday, the setback was officially labeled a rib injury, with head coach Jim Harbaugh saying McConkey was day to day.
The Chargers wideout was out for Wednesday’s practice, followed by another absence on Thursday.
Kris Rhim of ESPN reported McConkey was working separately with a trainer both days. If he’s absent for a third consecutive practice on Friday, his status for Sunday will likely be in serious doubt.
McConkey made a clear impact when he was on the field in Week 1, turning 7 targets into 5 receptions, 82 receiving yards, and 1 receiving TD. Over four drives in the fourth quarter without McConkey, the Chargers tallied only 50 yards while being outscored 10-0 in the final 12 minutes of the 26-14 loss vs. the Cardinals.
Among wide receivers and tight ends with multiple targets in Week 1, McConkey’s 14.9 average depth of target (aDOT) and 4.56 yards per route run led the team by a wide margin, per Pro Football Focus. In fact, WR Quentin Johnston’s 11.0 aDOT and TE David Njoku’s 3.41 yards per route run were the next-best marks.
If McConkey cannot go on Sunday, who could step up in Week 2’s battle with the Raiders?
Chargers Fantasy Football Outlook If McConkey Is Out in Week 2
WRs Tre Harris (31) and Quentin Johnston (30) took the most pass snaps in Week 1. McConkey primarily lined up in the slot with a 70.0% snap rate, and WR Derius Davis came in as his replacement with 10 total snaps and a 90.0% slot snap rate.
Davis had only 1 target on a 54-yard pass from QB Justin Herbert, which was unsuccessful with Davis covered by two defenders. Harris (6), Johnston (5), and Njoku (5) were the next in line behind McConkey’s team-high 7 targets.
Frankly, Harris (0.74) and Johnston (0.63) struggled with efficiency, each finishing under 1.00 yards per route run. As mentioned, Njoku’s 3.41 yards per route run was second on the team, and that mark was the fourth-highest across the NFL for tight ends with at least 2 targets in Week 1.
Njoku’s teammate, TE Oronde Gadsden II, led the league in this split by tallying 6.40 yards per route run on 2 targets, 2 catches, and 32 receiving yards last week. Gadsden comes off an excellent 2025 rookie season with 664 receiving yards in only 15 appearances and seven starts.
Following Week 1's low 18.2% snap share, Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel suggested Gadsden could get more snaps going forward, and that may certainly ring true if McConkey were inactive on Sunday.
For fantasy football and picks for PrizePicks, Los Angeles’ talented tight end duo of Njoku and Gadsden are a potential pivot if McConkey is out.
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Following back-to-back absences from practice this week, Ladd McConkey may miss Week 2’s game vs. the Raiders. If that’s the case, the Chargers’ best efficiency in the passing game could come from TEs David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden II on Sunday.
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