The Chargers stripped down their receiving corps under a new regime this past offseason, trading Keenan Allen and releasing Mike Williams.
While there was expected to be a greater emphasis on the running game with Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman in command, someone had to catch passes from Justin Herbert. Enter second-round rookie Ladd McConkey.
McConkey entered Week 7 as Los Angeles’ leading receiver with 219 yards and two touchdowns on 19 receptions, just ahead of Quentin Johnston. Anyone expecting a breakthrough week from McConkey against a struggling Cardinals pass defense was let down on Monday night, however.
Here’s what you need to know about McConkey’s status for “Monday Night Football” after he was blanked in the first half.
SN’s NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Is Ladd McConkey playing vs. Cardinals?
McConkey is healthy and active for the Chargers’ game against the Cardinals, but he was held without a catch in the first half. The rookie was targeted once by Herbert.
The Chargers have often turned to the running game under Harbaugh, but that wasn’t the case in the first half despite McConkey’s limited usage. Herbert threw 18 passes, but six went to TE Will Dissly, and WR Simi Fehoko was targeted four times.
McConkey has been featured fairly heavily early in his rookie season, so his quiet half was likely more of an aberration than a trend for fantasy owners to be concerned about. The Chargers went to halftime trailing 7-6.
Is Ladd McConkey injured?
No, McConkey is fine and playing his usual allotment of snaps. In fact, he led all Chargers WRs in that stat in the first half vs. Arizona.
Chargers halftime WR snap count
Ladd McConkey 29Smi Fehoko 27Joshua Palmer 15Jalen Reagor 7Brenden Rice 3
Out of 30 plays
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) October 22, 2024
Ladd McConkey stats vs. Cardinals
McConkey was held without a catch on one target in the first half of Monday night’s game against the Cardinals.
The rookie was targeted at least four times in each of his first five NFL games, hauling in multiple receptions in each. He just wasn’t as involved early on for the Chargers in Arizona, and that might help explain why they scored only six points against a shaky Cardinals secondary.
The Chargers might be forced to go to the passing game if they want to win, so McConkey could very well have a much more active second half.
