With Ladd McConkey potentially missing Sunday, the Chargers will need other weapons to step up. David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden should play a bigger role against the Raiders and give Justin Herbert reliable options in the passing game.
The Los Angeles Chargers could be without Ladd McConkey on Sunday when they take on the Raiders, and if that ends up being the case, the offense is going to need some other players to step up.
McConkey is officially listed as questionable after missing Wednesday and Thursday’s practices with a rib injury before returning as a limited participant Friday. He was the Chargers’ leading receiver in Week 1 with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game against the Cardinals.
If McConkey can’t play, the obvious names to watch are Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris. However, I think the Chargers should also make a bigger effort to get their tight ends involved in the passing game.
David Njoku showed in Week 1 that he can be a major part of this offense. Njoku caught all five of his targets for 58 yards against Arizona, with four of those catches going for at least 10 yards and three resulting in first downs.
That is exactly the type of production the Chargers could use against Las Vegas.
Njoku was brought in during the offseason to give Justin Herbert another weapon, and there is no reason he shouldn’t see an increase in targets if McConkey is unable to go. Njoku has the athleticism to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties, while also being someone Herbert can rely on underneath when the defense takes away the deeper throws.
Then there is Oronde Gadsden.
Gadsden only had two catches for 32 yards in Week 1, but his talent has been obvious since he entered the league. Mike McDaniel has already indicated that Gadsden could have a larger role moving forward after his usage was limited against Arizona.
This could be the perfect opportunity to get him more involved.
One of the biggest problems for the Chargers against the Cardinals was that the offense struggled to maintain consistency after McConkey left the game. Los Angeles scored just once after its opening drive and ultimately finished with only 14 points.
The Chargers can’t afford to have the same thing happen Sunday.
McDaniel has plenty of weapons at his disposal, but losing McConkey would take away one of Herbert’s most reliable targets. Rather than simply trying to replace his production with more wide receiver targets, the Chargers should use their tight ends to change the way the Raiders have to defend them.
Getting Njoku and Gadsden involved early could open things up for Johnston and Harris on the outside while giving Herbert reliable options over the middle.
The Chargers need a much better offensive performance on Sunday. If McConkey can’t play, this is a chance for their tight ends to become a much bigger part of the offense.
And honestly, they should be involved regardless.
