Ladd McConkey has made rapid progress from a rib injury and has every intention of playing Sunday when the Los Angeles Chargers host the Las Vegas Raiders, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reported.
McConkey is officially questionable. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, instead working on a side field with a trainer, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. He returned as a limited participant Friday.
As recently as Thursday, his availability looked doubtful. Adam Schefter of ESPN noted that day that the second straight missed practice made it unlikely McConkey would play.
He was hurt late in the third quarter of the season opener, a 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. McConkey took a big hit trying to catch a pass over the middle and went to the locker room. He did not return.
The team first listed it as a chest injury. It was later diagnosed as a rib issue.
Ian Rapoport reported early in the week that the injury was not believed to be significant and was the type a player can play through. Coach Jim Harbaugh called McConkey day-to-day Monday.
Before leaving, McConkey caught five of seven targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. He was the focal point of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s passing game.
The Chargers need him. Los Angeles opened the season as a 9.5-point favorite and lost, and a 0-2 start in the AFC West would put them in a hole early.
McConkey, a third-year receiver, has been Justin Herbert’s most reliable target since arriving.
The Chargers drafted him out of Georgia in the second round in 2024, 34th overall. As a rookie, he caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns.
If he is limited or inactive, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris would move up. Brenen Thompson, Derius Davis and Gary Jennings are the other options.
The Raiders will be without tight end Brock Bowers, who is missing a second straight game after a meniscus trim.
Kickoff is 4:05 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium. Inactives are due around 2:35 p.m. ET, when McConkey’s status becomes official.
Should he play, the ribs remain a risk on any hit over the middle, which is where he was injured in Week 1.
