Through the Chargers’ first 10 games this season, rookie Ladd McConkey has become Justin Herbert’s go-to receiver.
As Los Angeles prepares to play the Ravens on the road on Monday night, Herbert will likely need McConkey to be full-go, going up against a talented Baltimore defense. The rookie receiver has been dealing with a shoulder injury, and his status is up in the air for Monday night’s huge AFC showdown.
What will the Week 12 game between the Chargers and Ravens hold? Let’s run through the latest on the rookie receiver’s status for the game.
WEEK 12 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
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Is Ladd McConkey playing this week?
McConkey is active for Monday night’s contest. The first-year pass-catcher suffered a shoulder injury during Los Angeles’ 34-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and was limited in practice throughout the week.
Fresh off of a career-best showing last week, McConkey looks well-equipped to put forth a solid display. He certainly has the matchup to do so, locking horns with one of football’s worst pass defenses in the Ravens. Herbert will be plenty happy to see that sight.
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Chargers WR depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Ladd McConkey |
| 2 | Quentin Johnston |
| 3 | Joshua Palmer |
| 4 | Jalen Reagor |
| 5 | Derius Davis |
No. 1: Ladd McConkey
McConkey has had a breakout season in his rookie year in Los Angeles. On the season so far, he’s accounted for 43 catches for 615 yards and four touchdowns, which leads the team.
Aside from the aforementioned Cincinnati game, his best performance came in late October against the New Orleans Saints. He finished with 111 yards and two touchdowns. It was his second game with over 100 yards receiving.
No. 2: Quentin Johnston
Quentin Johnston has emerged as a true red-zone threat receiver for this Los Angeles offense. He leads the team with six touchdowns on the season, including three scores in the Chargers’ last three games.
Johnston is having a much more productive season than his rookie one in 2023, thanks, seemingly to Jim Harbaugh’s offense. That year, he had just two touchdowns all season.
No. 3: Joshua Palmer
Joshua Palmer is second on the team in receiving, having accounted for 365 yards on 20 receptions so far this season. He has just one touchdown on the year. Palmer has spent his whole career in Los Angeles, getting drafted by the Chargers in 2021 77th overall in the third round.
His best season in Los Angeles came in 2022 when he finished for 769 yards and three touchdowns that season.
No. 4: Jalen Reagor
Jalen Reagor has had a quiet season in Los Angeles so far. He’s had just four catches for 76 yards and is seventh in the team in receiving.
Reagor hasn’t quite lived up to his first-round draft potential, even though he is in his fifth season in the NFL. After spending his first two seasons in Philadelphia, he spent 2022 in Minnesota and 2023 in New England.
No. 5: Derius Davis
Derius Davis has been used in Los Angeles’ offense primarily as a rusher instead of a receiver. So far this year he’s had seven attempts for 43 yards. Meanwhile, he has just three receptions for 39 yards so far this year.
Davis was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft out of TCU.
Ladd McConkey fantasy outlook
By SN Fantasy
If McConkey is active, he’s a must-start against a Ravens’ defense allowing the most fantasy points per game to WRs. However, given the late nature of his game, it’s tough to trust McConkey in your lineup if your other options play Sunday. Your best bet is picking up a backup from Monday’s game — someone like Palmer, Nelson Agholor, or even Reagor — to have in reserve in case the rookie can’t go. For now, we suggest waiting for him and taking the risk unless you have a safe, high-ceiling option you can start in his place.
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