In Week 7, the LA Chargers fielded a depleted receiving corps, reminiscent of the challenging situations Philip Rivers often faced. Despite a stellar performance from Justin Herbert, the struggling group of receivers left him unsupported. As Week 8 approaches, many hoped the team’s first injury report would bring some relief.
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Unfortunately, the outlook isn’t promising. The wide receiver corps might be in even worse shape for Week 8. Rookie wideout Ladd McConkey, who played through an injury against the Cardinals, missed practice on Wednesday. He was joined by Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis, making a total of six pass-catchers on the injury report.
wednesday’s #NOvsLAC injury report pic.twitter.com/0oyGOasOgH
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 23, 2024
Chargers injury report spells disaster for the Bolts vs. the Saints
McConkey missing practice doesn’t bode well for his chances of playing on Sunday against the Saints. While it doesn’t completely rule him out, it significantly reduces his odds of suiting up, especially coming off a Monday night game.
The same applies to Davis and Johnston, who both missed Week 7 and don’t seem to be making enough progress for Week 8. Although there’s always a chance, it’s tough to be optimistic about their availability for the Saints game.
DJ Chark Jr. could provide some relief if he can play after logging a limited practice session on Wednesday. Chark hasn’t played this season, leaving the Chargers without a true X receiver. His presence would help balance the receiving corps.
However, adding Chark to an already depleted group is like patching a leaking dam—it might help, but it doesn’t fix the bigger issue, which may need to be addressed via trade.
To make matters worse, Hayden Hurst continues to miss practice with the groin injury that kept him out of Week 7. While this isn’t surprising, it doesn’t help the situation.
As if things weren’t bad enough, Week 7’s top pass-catcher, Will Dissly, also missed practice on Wednesday, adding insult to injury. The saying “when it rains, it pours” feels all too fitting here.
Some of these Chargers may suit up against the Saints, but if worst comes to worst, Herbert could be left with limited options. The wide receiver group might consist of Joshua Palmer and practice squad players, while the tight end position would be led by Stone Smartt and more backups.
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