The Chargers have restructured WR Keenan Allen's contract, shaving $8.9 million off his 2023 salary cap number, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That's big for two reasons: 1) The team opened the offseason with one of the league's worst cap situations. 2) That plus Allen's contract had driven speculation the Chargers would cut or trade him. You can now bet on that not happening. And that makes Allen a strong value in current best ball drafting. His ADP has sat in WR3 range since 2023 drafting began. Even with big-time injury issues last year, Allen still finished the season 12th among WRs in PPR points per game and 13th in half-PPR. L.A. also restructured WR Mike Williams' contract to save another $5.5 million in cap space.
The Chargers are set to hire Kellen Moore as their new OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Although we just learned that Moore was done in Dallas on Sunday, the Chargers had been working on this hire "for a while," per Rapoport. It's a great get for QB Justin Herbert and Co. Moore helped the Cowboys to top-11 finishes in both points and total yards in 3 of his 4 seasons -- with the only exception being 2020, when QB Dak Prescott missed most of the year. That included a 1st-place finish in both points and yards in 2021. Moore's Dallas offenses were balanced to run-leaning in terms of Pass Rate Over Expected, although he certainly seems willing to adjust his play calling to the personnel. Moore also deploys a fast-paced attack, with the Cowboys ranking top 4 in both pace and situation-neutral pace in all 4 of his seasons.
The Chargers have fired OC Joe Lombardi, according to NFL Network. Lombardi piloted Los Angeles to top 9 finishes in total yards in each of the past 2 seasons, despite dealing with a bunch of injuries to offensive linemen and skill-position players. But his scheme simply didn't accentuate QB Justin Herbert's arm talent, as evidenced by his 7.6 and 6.4 intended air yards per pass attempt marks over the last 2 years. That 6.4-yard mark this past season ranked 31st among 33 qualifiers. We'll see who the Chargers tab to replace Lombardi -- but the change is more likely than not to be good news for Herbert's fantasy value.
Playing without WR Mike Williams, Chargers QB Justin Herbert completed 25-of-43 passes for 273 yards and 1 score. The Chargers settled for 2 short range FGs in the first half — 1 after Herbert missed Keenan Allen in the end zone — which kept Jacksonville’s comeback hopes alive. In the second half, the Chargers went: punt, FG, missed FG, punt. Following the loss, we’ll see if the Chargers retain HC Brandon Staley (and OC Joe Lombardi) for another season. Regardless, Los Angeles needs to find a speed threat to compliment Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that further imagining revealed a fracture in Chargers WR Mike Williams' back. Williams is expected to be out "a couple of weeks," Pelissero adds. He's already been ruled out for Saturday night's game vs. the Jaguars -- and it sounds like Williams would also likely miss a potential Divisional Round game.
The Chargers have downgraded WR Mike Williams from questionable to out for Saturday night's game against the Jaguars, because of the back injury he suffered in Week 18 against the Broncos. That boosts the outlook for Chargers WRs Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter, who have each moved up our WR rankings for the week. HC Brandon Staley has taken a lot of flak this week for the way he handled starters in a game his team didn't need. But he at least did coaches everywhere a service by clearly reminding everyone why you rest key players in those situations. We'll see about Williams' status for Round 2, if the Chargers advance.
Chargers WR Mike Williams missed practice for a 3rd straight day Thursday, with the back injury he suffered in the Week 18 loss to the Broncos. He is officially questionable for Saturday's game against the Jaguars and sure doesn't look like a great bet based on his practice schedule. We've seen Williams go later in recent full-playoffs drafting. WR Josh Palmer, however, has not risen at the same time. He looks like an attractive option across playoff fantasy football formats this week.
Chargers WR Mike Williams (back) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday for the 2nd day in a row. HC Brandon Staley shared on Tuesday that the veteran is considered day-to-day and that Williams will practice at some point this week. We'll continue to monitor his name on the injury report in advance of Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the Jaguars.
Chargers WR Mike Williams (back) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice report. It'll be important to see if he's able to practice tomorrow ahead of Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the Jaguars. We'll keep an eye on this storyline as more information becomes available.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley said Monday that the MRI on WR Mike Williams' injured back showed no fracture or muscle injury, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Staley added that the "indication" given to him is that Williams will be ready for Saturday night's game against the Jaguars. We'll certainly be tracking his status through the week.
Chargers WR Mike Williams was knocked out of Sunday's game vs. the Broncos due to back spasms, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry. X-rays and an MRI on his back came back clean, a source tells Thiry, and Williams is expected to be available for next weekend's Wild Card game vs. the Jaguars. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears, though, that Williams is scheduled for additional testing on Monday. We'll keep you updated on his status.
Chargers WR Mike Williams injured his back in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Broncos and is questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more.
If the Bengals beat the Ravens -- and they're currently 7-point favorites -- in the early slate of games on Sunday, the Chargers will clinch the AFC's #5 seed and have nothing to play for vs. the Broncos in the late slate. And it sure sounds like there's a chance that HC Brandon Staley will rest starters in that case. "Once we find out about that game, then we'll make the appropriate decisions moving forward," Staley said Wednesday. The Chargers are notably 2.5-point underdogs right now, suggesting the oddsmakers are at least baking in some chance of starters not playing. We'll continue to keep an eye on the situation, but guys like QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler and WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams carry elevated risk in Week 18 fantasy lineups.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley plans to play starters in Sunday's game vs. the Broncos. A win would lock up the AFC's #5 seed for the Chargers, meaning a Round 1 game vs. the Jaguars or Titans. A loss would open the door for the Ravens to take the #5 seed with a win over the Bengals. That'd push the Chargers down to #6 and mean a Round 1 game vs. Cincinnati. “Our approach is definitely going to get shot to win this ballgame and play as well as we can play heading into the playoffs,” Staley said. “I think that there’s certainly an advantage to be in the No. 5-seed, from where I stand, so we’re going to try and get there.” Staley did add that he'd consider sitting banged-up players. But, as of now, we're projecting full playing time for QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler and WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen dominated the receiving work in Monday night's win over the Colts. He racked up 11 catches for 104 yards on 14 targets, 45.2% of the team's total pass attempts. WR Mike Williams and RB Austin Ekeler tied for 2nd with 4 targets apiece on a limited passing night. Williams caught all 4 for 76 yards. The Chargers get a home date with the Rams in Week 17, a matchup that has been near-neutral for WR scoring on the year.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert threw for 313 yards in Sunday's narrow victory over the Chargers. But he added 2 INTs and no TDs, falling short of 10 fantasy points in many formats. WR Keenan Allen led the receiving with 8 catches for 86 yards among 9 targets. WR Mike Williams added 4-67 on 8 targets. WR Josh Palmer caught all 5 of his looks for 49 yards. It was Herbert's 3rd straight game with more than 300 yards and fewer than 2 TDs. Next comes a Colts defense that allowed 460 yards to Kirk Cousins on Saturday and 7 combined TD passes over the past 2 games.
Chargers WR Mike Williams returned from an ankle injury to post 6-116-1 on 6 targets in Week 14. Justin Herbert chucked 51 passes, so the involvement was disappointing. Still, playing 65% of the snaps, the veteran looked healthy following a 2-game absence. Fantasy managers should start him with confidence this week against a poor Tennessee pass D.
Chargers WR Mike Williams (ankle) is not listed on the final injury report for Sunday night’s game vs. the Dolphins. He was a full-go in practice on Thursday and Friday. It all suggests that Williams is at least close to 100%. He’s still a pretty risky fantasy play, though, after lasting just 6 snaps when he first tried to return from this high-ankle sprain in Week 11. See where Williams sits in the Week 14 WR Rankings.
Chargers WR Mike Williams (ankle) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice. That should put him in line to play vs. the Dolphins on Sunday night. Williams originally suffered this high-ankle sprain in Week 7 and then lasted just 6 snaps before aggravating the issue in Week 11. That makes him a risky Week 14 fantasy play -- although he certainly boasts plenty of upside if he can make it through the game healthy.
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