Ladd McConkey has emerged as an important weapon for the LA Chargers and an important player in the final week of the fantasy football season. Both the Chargers and fantasy football players need McConkey to suit up on Sunday Night Football.
McConkey leads all rookie wide receivers in receiving yards thus far and has quickly developed into Justin Herbert's go-to option in the passing game. With J.K. Dobbins on the IR, McConkey becomes all the more important in the Chargers' offense (raising his fantasy ceiling in the process).
Fans saw this in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13 when McConkey hauled in over 100 receiving yards. However, the former Georgia Bulldog suffered a knee injury in the second half that limited his output and has now put his status for Week 14 up in the air.
Latest injury updates on Ladd McConkey ahead of Chargers-Chiefs:
UPDATE: Ladd McConkey has officially been ruled OUT against the Kansas City Chiefs. McConkey was a game-time decision and was included on the Chargers inactives list shortly before kickoff.
Ladd McConkey was officially ruled as questionable on Friday's injury report as he battles both a knee and shoulder injury. It was unclear if McConkey would practice at all but the rookie wideout ended up being a limited participant in all three practices this week. That is a good sign for his status.
There currently is no concrete answer on McConkey's status and we will be sure to update this article accordingly once updates roll out. Ian Rapoport confirmed late Saturday night that McConkey is a true game-time decision for the Bolts (whether or not that is just mind games from the Chargers remains to be seen).
Rapoport said earlier in the week McConkey's injury is not serious but that it was putting his status for Week 14 "in doubt". Early in the week, all signs were pointing to McConkey missing this matchup.
However, later in the week, McConkey said he would do everything possible to play. McConkey didn't outright say he would play but did say that he would suit up if all goes well. There does not seem to be a situation where McConkey sits out for precautionary reasons.
If McConkey does play then he should produce at his regular output. While he will be somewhat compromised, his rapport with Herbert is simply too strong and the Chargers will have to rely heavily on him in the passing game to have any inkling of a chance.
The risk is if McConkey gets banged up during the game and has to leave early. The rookie wideout is not the most durable receiver out there so that is a risk if he olays.
If McConkey doesn't suit up, or you are too worried about starting him with the injury, the best fantasy football play is probably Quentin Johnston. As bad as Johnston has been in recent weeks, he has had big games this season and may have to out of necessity if McConkey cannot go.