Chargers news: Bolts forced to make unfortunate roster decision vs. Saints
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers are banged-up at the wide receiver position and it is causing the team to make questionable roster decisions. After failing to make a good impression in his Chargers debut last week, wide receiver Jalen Reagor will be elevated for the team's Week 8 game against the New Orleans Saints.
Reagor, a former first-round pick of the Philadelphia who has failed to live up to expectations, made a classic Reagor-like mistake in his first drive with the Chargers. The former TCU wideout fumbled the ball near the goal line and into the endzone after a big reception, resulting in a turnover on downs for the Bolts.
With the Chargers eventually losing by two points, Reagor's miscue ended up being the difference in the game (along with some questionable officiating). You would think the Chargers would hold this against Reagor moving forward but that is not the case as he will be active on Sunday alongside fellow wideout Jaylen Johnson.
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Chargers forced to make questionable Jalen Reagor decision vs. Saints
As questionable as the decision is on paper, it unfortunately is a product of the circumstance the Chargers find themselves in. Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis are listed as doubtful, while Ladd McConkey and D.J. Chark Jr. are listed as questionable on the Chargers injury report.
If anything, the Chargers elevating Reagor and Johnson is a smoking gun that at least two of the four receivers won't play against the Saints.
The hope is that both McConkey and Chark are active that way Reagor does not need to factor into the offense. If so, McConkey, Chark and Joshua Palmer would serve as the three primary wideouts with Simi Fehoko as the rotational fourth. With Reagor as the fifth, he would hardly see playing time on offense.
His addition would solely be for special teams if the Chargers want him to return punts. McConkey returned punts last week and has continued to do so in practice with Davis sidelined. However, with McConkey dealing with lingering injuries, it may be best for all parties if he only plays offense.
This is the best-case scenario, though. There is also the possibility Reagor has to play offensive snaps if McConkey and/or Chark cannot play (or are on snap counts). If that is the case, Chargers fans simply have to cross their fingers that Reagor doesn't make another game-losing mistake against the Saints.