The Los Angeles Chargers have already suffered multiple injuries to their wide receiver depth chart this season. First-round rookie WR Quentin Johnston was already having trouble filling the void alongside Keenan Allen. On Sunday night, he went down with an injury that could further deplete the Chargers’ pass-catching corps.
Quentin Johnston Injury Update
Johnston stayed down on the field after failing to haul in a third-quarter pass from Justin Herbert. Baltimore Ravens defensive back Brandon Stephens landed on top of Johnston after the incompletion.
While Johnston was able to leave the field under his own power, he immediately headed to the blue medical tent on the Chargers’ sideline.
#Chargers WR Quentin Johnston suffered an injury on this play and is now in the medical tent. pic.twitter.com/fsND2G4tBV
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 27, 2023
Los Angeles can hardly afford any more WR injuries. Mike Williams’ season ended in Week 3 when he tore his ACL. Josh Palmer went down with a knee injury in Week 8 and hasn’t played since.
MORE: Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart
Allen hasn’t missed any time but is battling a shoulder issue, while Jalen Guyton — who just returned from injured reserve, has a groin injury.
Johnston, the 21st overall pick in April’s draft, was supposed to take on a more significant role after Williams was lost for the year. But while he’s seen more targets in recent weeks, Johnston has struggled to transition to the NFL. He’s managed 50 or more receiving yards in just one game and has scored only one touchdown in his rookie campaign.
Johnston’s nadir may have come in Week 11, when he dropped an on-target pass from Herbert that would have given the Chargers a chance at a game-tying field goal in the final minutes of an eventual loss to the Green Bay Packers.
With Johnston sidelined, Guyton will see more action opposite Allen, while rookie fourth-rounder Derius David and journeyman Alex Erickson are also active.
Fantasy Fallout From Johnston’s Injury
Joshua Palmer reached double-digit PPR fantasy points in four straight games prior to suffering the knee injury that ultimately landed him on IR. He is eligible to return in Week 13 (at NE) and was a good bet to assume the WR2 role in Los Angeles before the injury to Johnston.
If Johnston’s injury is severe, that role is all Palmer’s. He saw at least seven targets in each of the aforementioned four games and figures to step into that role the second he returns to the field. Fantasy managers can feel good about plugging in Palmer as a Flex option.
Gerald Everett sees his target expectancy rise, but not enough to drastically change his value. He remains a streaming option that can be deployed in times of need and/or in plus-matchups down the stretch.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
