Ladd McConkey’s rib injury could be more concerning than initially thought. The Chargers are calling him day-to-day, but their reported interest in Marquez Valdes-Scantling could be a sign they’re preparing for McConkey to miss time.
The Los Angeles Chargers have plenty of things to worry about after Sunday’s ugly loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but one of the biggest concerns coming out of the game is the health of Ladd McConkey.
McConkey suffered a rib injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s 26-14 loss and did not return. The good news is that Jim Harbaugh described McConkey as day-to-day on Monday, which would seem to indicate that the injury is not considered serious at this point. The Chargers are going to monitor him throughout the week before making a decision on his status for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
However, there are some reasons to be concerned.
McConkey was easily the Chargers’ most productive wide receiver against Arizona. He finished the game with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on seven targets despite leaving before the fourth quarter. The Chargers were also unable to find any consistent offense after he left the game, which showed just how important he was to the passing game.
That is particularly concerning with KeAndre Lambert-Smith also expected to miss time with a hamstring injury. Losing two receivers this early in the season would put even more pressure on Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris to step up.
And now there is another interesting development.
The Chargers are reportedly working out veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Tuesday. That doesn’t necessarily mean McConkey is going to miss Sunday’s game, but it certainly raises some questions about his availability. The Chargers wouldn’t necessarily be looking to add another veteran receiver this early in the season if they felt completely comfortable with their current depth.
Valdes-Scantling obviously wouldn’t be replacing McConkey’s role one-for-one. MVS has always been more of a vertical threat, while McConkey is one of Justin Herbert’s most reliable targets and does a lot of his damage working underneath and from the slot.
Still, adding a veteran who has plenty of NFL experience would give the Chargers another option if McConkey isn’t ready.
The timing of this injury is also unfortunate. This was supposed to be the year McConkey took another step forward in the Chargers’ offense, especially with Mike McDaniel now running the show. The Chargers need their top offensive weapons on the field as they try to figure out an offense that struggled mightily in its debut.
Fans shouldn’t be ready to panic about McConkey just yet. Being labeled day-to-day is a much better situation than dealing with a significant injury, and there is still plenty of time for him to get back on the field before Sunday.
But the Chargers clearly aren’t taking any chances.
If McConkey misses time, this offense is going to look different. And considering how much the Chargers struggled after he left Sunday’s game, his absence could be a major problem.
