With Ladd McConkey dealing with a rib injury, the Chargers could be forced to look deeper at wide receiver. Could rookie Brenen Thompson see an expanded role and finally get a chance to show what he can do?
The Los Angeles Chargers may have a decision to make at wide receiver heading into Week 2.
Ladd McConkey is dealing with a rib injury that forced him to leave Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. McConkey was called day-to-day by Jim Harbaugh, but he did not practice Wednesday, which makes his status for Sunday’s game against the Raiders something worth watching.
The Chargers also placed KeAndre Lambert-Smith on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, further thinning out a wide receiver room that looked pretty deep entering the season. The team responded by adding veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad, along with Gary Jennings.
But if McConkey is unable to play, one player who could see a significant increase in snaps is rookie Brenen Thompson. Thompson was one of the more intriguing players throughout training camp. The fourth-round pick brings a completely different element to the offense with his elite speed. He ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine and flashed that speed throughout the offseason. The Chargers specifically identified him as a potential deep-threat option when they put together their initial 53-man roster.
The question is whether the Chargers are ready to give him a bigger role this early in the season.
Thompson entered the season as the team’s fourth receiver behind McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris. He also had some injury concerns of his own during the preseason after dealing with a hip issue, although he recovered in time to play in Week 1.
If McConkey misses Sunday’s game, the Chargers don’t necessarily have to replace his role with one player. Johnston and Harris could see more opportunities, while Thompson could be used in specific packages designed to take advantage of his speed.
That might actually be the best way to get Thompson involved.
The Chargers don’t need Thompson to suddenly become McConkey. McConkey is one of Justin Herbert’s most trusted targets and has led the team in receiving yards in each of his first two seasons. He also showed just how important he is in Week 1, finishing with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown despite leaving the game in the third quarter.
What Thompson can give the Chargers is something different.
His speed can force defenses to play deeper and potentially create more room underneath for players like Johnston, Harris and the tight ends. In Mike McDaniel’s offense, getting the ball into space and creating explosive plays is going to be important.
If McConkey can’t go, I would expect Thompson to get a legitimate opportunity.
Whether that means becoming the full-time third receiver or simply receiving a handful of designed opportunities remains to be seen. But with Lambert-Smith on IR and McConkey’s status uncertain, the Chargers may not have much of a choice.
This could be the first real opportunity for Thompson to show that all of the hype surrounding him during training camp was justified.
