The NFL season got off to a rough start for the Los Angeles Chargers, and the team could now be facing another concern heading into Week 2. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey suffered a rib injury during Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and his status for the upcoming matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders remains uncertain.
McConkey dealing with rib injury
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, McConkey will be monitored throughout the week after further evaluation of the injury. Rapoport described the receiver’s status for Week 2 as being “up in the air,” meaning the Chargers will likely wait to see how McConkey responds before making a decision.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has also described McConkey as day-to-day. The Chargers are scheduled to host the Raiders in Week 2, giving McConkey several days to recover before the team has to make a final determination on his availability.
The good news for Los Angeles is that the injury does not currently appear to be viewed as a long-term absence. McConkey is undergoing additional testing to determine the severity of the rib issue, with more information expected as the week progresses.
Chargers desperately need McConkey
McConkey’s potential absence would be a major blow to a Chargers offense that struggled after he left Sunday’s game.
Before exiting, McConkey was easily one of the bright spots for Los Angeles. He caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, establishing himself as Justin Herbert’s top receiving option in the season opener.
If McConkey cannot play against Las Vegas, the Chargers could turn to Derius Davis for a larger role in the slot. Davis ran all nine of his routes from the slot against Arizona, according to NBC Sports.
For now, it appears that McConkey is day-to-day; however, the Chargers cannot afford to fall to 0-2, so if their star wide receiver can suit up in Week 2, expect him to be active.
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