After missing practice on Wednesday, Chargers WR Ladd McConkey officially logged another DNP today, casting his status for Sunday in serious midweek doubt. With Quentin Johnston nursing a chest injury, and the entire Chargers offense seeming altogether unmoored, obliterated, fractured, and wildly sloppy, it might finally be time for Tre Harris to seize some meat-on-the-bone production on Sunday.
McConkey’s known to play even if he’s able to log only a limited practice Friday, so his status is still up in the air, of course.
However, here’s how I’ll handle Tre Harris should McConkey be out.
Tre Harris Week 5 fantasy outlook
Tre Harris has led the Chargers in receiving yards for three straight weeks, even as they have stumbled to 0–4. Ladd McConkey aggravated his foot injury against Seattle and missed the second half. If he misses Denver, Mike McDaniel has to replace him while piecing together another line for Justin Herbert.
McDaniel should get Harris the ball early. He has already called screens for him and used him out of the backfield; Harris broke loose for 53 yards on a catch-and-run against Las Vegas. He caught six of seven targets for 76 yards at Buffalo, too. Across the Buffalo and Seattle games, Harris led the Chargers’ wideouts with 2.13 YPRR on a modest 18.8% target share. With Rashawn Slater nursing a high ankle sprain and Joe Alt dealing with a neck injury, I’d call more screens for Harris. Four rookie linemen finished Sunday blocking for Herbert.
Nik Bonitto gets to rush those replacements. Opponents have slowed him with chips and quarterback movement, and Denver has managed only eight sacks through four games. For the deeper throws, I’d have a back or tight end chip Bonitto. McDaniel may get to call them against backup corners. Pat Surtain II missed Thursday’s practice with an injured ankle, and Riley Moss missed it with injured ribs. Their absences would push Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine into more outside work. Harris can attack those replacements, but Bonitto can spoil the throw if McDaniel leaves a struggling tackle alone.
Herbert rallied Los Angeles within seven Sunday with McConkey already out. After throwing two interceptions and scraping together 36 passing yards before halftime, he attacked Seattle for 153 yards on 17 second-half attempts. The Chargers regained possession with a chance to tie. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II and running back Keaton Mitchell each drew more targets than Harris. On 39 routes across 43 dropbacks, Harris received just five looks. McConkey’s absence would add little playing time. If Bonitto hurries Herbert, Gadsden and Mitchell can catch the shorter throws while Harris works farther downfield.
Verdict: Start Tre Harris in Week 5 for PPR
I expect seven or eight targets for Harris if McConkey sits, enough for five catches and about 60 yards. Bonitto should force punts when Herbert has to wait for longer routes; Seattle ended the comeback with a sack-fumble, bringing Herbert to 12 sacks through four games. Herbert has thrown only four touchdowns this season, none to Harris. I’ll start Harris as a PPR WR3 or flex on the strength of those receptions. In standard scoring, I’d sit him; six points from yardage leaves too much riding on his first touchdown.
