Ladd McConkey: back at practice, Week 8 return likely
THE FACT. Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was back on the field for the team's bonus practice Monday in a non-contact jersey, his first work since a concussion in the Oct. 18 loss to Kansas City, per Athlon Sports' Robert Marvi. NBC Sports' Week 8 injury report listed him Tuesday as expected back for Sunday against the Rams.
THE VERDICT. Redraft: start him the moment he clears the protocol. He is the only proven receiver on this depth chart, so the target share follows automatically. The non-contact jersey means he has not cleared contact yet, so Wednesday and Thursday participation is the gate to watch. Tre' Harris stayed on the side field with a hamstring, which concentrates volume further if McConkey plays. DFS: a strong pivot once cleared, because the market discounts players coming off missed time. Dynasty: no change, buy any panic discount.
Respect the take, but he's staying on my bench in Week 8. Availability isn't the problem here, usage is. Eighteen targets in five games, 13 catches for 200 yards, a 10.4 percent team target share, and his last three healthy games went five, two, one target before the concussion. That isn't volume that follows automatically, that's an offense that stopped looking for him. He was in a no-contact jersey Monday and still needs a full practice plus neuro clearance. I want to see a seven-target game first. Deep-league flex, not a confident start.