Ladd McConkey Not Expected to Play vs Broncos

Ladd McConkey is not expected to play for the Chargers on Sunday. The wide receiver, who did not practice all week and was listed as questionable with a foot injury, is not expected to suit up against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning.

That is a gut punch for an offense that was already short on targets. Quentin Johnston (chest) was ruled out Friday, and Brenen Thompson (quad) is out too, per Chargers.com. If McConkey sits, Justin Herbert is heading into an AFC West game without three of his receivers.

The foot never got right

This did not come out of nowhere. McConkey was a DNP on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, per the Chargers' injury report, and NBC Sports says he aggravated the foot in Week 4. He was questionable that week too and played just 33.8 percent of the snaps without catching a pass, per SI.

He has been banged up all season with rib and foot issues, and the Chargers kept giving him every chance to play through it, listing him as questionable again on Friday even after three straight missed practices. Through four games he has 12 catches on 17 targets for 183 yards and one touchdown, per SI, and he has played less than half the offensive snaps in three of the four games.

Tre' Harris steps up

With McConkey and Johnston both expected to be out, Tre' Harris becomes Herbert's top receiver, per NBC Sports. If you need a fantasy fill-in, Harris is the guy getting the volume today. Expect the Chargers to lean on Omarion Hampton too, who has scored three of the team's seven offensive touchdowns this season, per SI.

The injury list goes well beyond the receivers. Derwin James (hamstring) and tackle Joe Alt (neck) were ruled out Friday, cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) is out, and left tackle Rashawn Slater went on injured reserve with an ankle injury, per Chargers.com. Backup quarterback Trey Lance is doubtful with a groin injury.

Denver is hurting too

The one break for the Bolts is that Denver's secondary is beat up as well. The Broncos ruled out both of their starting cornerbacks, Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, for this one, per DenverBroncos.com.

So this AFC West fight at SoFi comes down to who can make plays with a patched-together roster. Without McConkey, Herbert has to find Harris early and keep Hampton rolling, because against a Broncos team missing its top corners, this is a game the Chargers can still steal.