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After consecutive 11-win campaigns, the Los Angeles Chargers were widely expected to be playoff contenders in 2026. However, as Week 6 nears, the team is still searching for its first victory. The season has been a disaster for the Bolts, and injuries to their receiving corps and offensive line have hindered their ability to turn things around.
Ladd McConkey (foot) and Quentin Johnston (chest) sat out Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, while Tre Harris (hamstring) exited in the third quarter. On Tuesday, Coach Jim Harbaugh offered updates on his wideouts, which could have significant fantasy implications in the coming weeks.
Tre Harris: Week-to-Week with Hamstring
Harbaugh described Harris's hamstring injury as more of a week-to-week situation. Nevertheless, Harris is likely to miss Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, especially with a Week 7 bye providing ample time to rest before Week 8. In his sophomore season, Harris has been a bright spot, leading the Chargers in receptions (15), targets (26), receiving yards (225), and yards after catch (86). However, he has yet to score a touchdown. According to Fantasy Pros, he is ranked as WR57, making him a solid waiver wire option, particularly if he returns before his fellow wideouts and sees increased volume.
Ladd McConkey: Working Back into Practice
McConkey, a slot receiver, has struggled to stay on the field in 2026 due to a Week 1 rib injury and a foot injury he aggravated in Week 4. It remains unclear if he will be ready to face the Chiefs, but Harbaugh mentioned that McConkey is working back into practice to gauge how he feels. When healthy, the 24-year-old has been a top wideout threat alongside Harris, recording 12 receptions on 17 targets for 183 yards and a touchdown. In deeper leagues, he is worth stashing and is a player to monitor as the week progresses, potentially as a streaming option.
Quentin Johnston: Likely to Play
Quentin Johnston has also missed time, sustaining a chest injury in Week 4. Harbaugh revealed that Johnston will probably be limited this week and added, "We'll see where he's at at the end of the week." Among the trio of Johnston, McConkey, and Harris, Johnston appears the likeliest to play on Sunday. If he becomes a temporary No. 1 option for Justin Herbert, he could be an intriguing short-term fantasy pickup.
Where Will the Offense Come From?
That question has plagued the Chargers in 2026. While they rank ninth in rushing yards per game, their 30th-ranked passing attack has significantly hurt them. Injuries to the offensive line and top receivers set the tone early, but even so, Justin Herbert's struggles are surprising. He has thrown five touchdown passes against seven interceptions, many at costly moments, and has taken 17 sacks (second most in the NFL). A projected fourth- or fifth-round QB draft choice, Herbert is averaging 12.1 fantasy PPR points per game, ranking 33rd in the NFL, according to Fantasy Pros.
Making matters worse, he faces a Chiefs defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks (and only four passing TDs) this season. The Chiefs also give up the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, so Omarion Hampton (RB23) is likely the strongest fantasy option on the Chargers this weekend. Still, given the injury uncertainty, unfavorable matchup, and the Chargers' poor offensive play, it may be worth avoiding their personnel entirely in Week 6 of fantasy.
Macklin is a Brooklyn-based writer who's covered the NBA, NFL, WWE, Disney Channel Original movies and everything in between. All of his wildest dreams came true the day Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to an NBA Championship. Follow MackStern24.