Los Angeles Chargers enter 2025 with Jim Harbaugh’s system in hand and Justin Herbert at the controls, a combination that kept the offense efficient and downfield-ready last season. Herbert thrived, rising to elite passing grades and attacking vertically, paving the way for a high-octane attack even as receiving depth remains a concern. The defense remains the story, anchored by Derwin James Jr. and Khalil Mack, producing a top-tier secondary that again stifles explosives and bolsters fantasy appeal across the roster.

Depth at wide receiver behind Ladd McConkey is uncertain after Joshua Palmer’s departure and limited upside from Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen, which could compress targets. The Chargers’ rookie add Omarion Hampton is framed as a potential lead back on a run-first approach, although Najee Harris presence elsewhere signals that a clear-cut top-10 rookie back is unlikely early. A notable fantasy edge comes from Herbert’s big-play ability; the best bet on the board remains Herbert over 21.5 passing touchdowns, a line he eclipsed previously as the offense evolved under Harbaugh.

Bottom-line takeaway: Rashawn Slater’s injury risk is real, but Harbaugh has yet to post a losing season in this NFL run. Even with depth questions, the Chargers project as postseason contenders thanks to a pass-defense backbone that should carry the defense in tight games, while Herbert’s downfield rhythm keeps fantasy managers hopeful for breakout weeks.

Jason McCourty breaks down the AFC West threat map, arguing KC’s nine-division-streak isn’t just about talent or scheme but the evolving divisional landscape. He points to quarterbacks and coaches in the neighboring teams creating a sharper challenge in 2025, especially as Payton’s second year in Denver and Harbaugh-adjacent growth with the Chargers begin to bear fruit. The discussion centers on how the division’s defenses and playmakers could close the gap, making the Chiefs’ throne more precarious than in prior years.

Key names and teams to watch surface quickly: Denver’s revamped defensive identity under Vance Joseph, SF’s staunch front guided by Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, and Seattle’s offense with Geno Smith providing balance to a division that finally looks more competent on both sides of the ball. McCourty’s PAC Board work amplifies his network insight, underscoring how player development and mentorship may tilt competitive balance as schedules tighten and rosters shift.

Quentin Johnston suffered a concussion in the Chargers' preseason opener against the Rams after a big hit from Tanner Ingle on a Herbert pass. Diagnosed as a precaution, Johnston was taken to the hospital but later sat up as he was escorted off the field. Johnston, LA's 2023 first‑round pick, carved out a role as a deep threat last year with 711 yards and eight touchdowns on 55 receptions, setting expectations for a bigger volume in 2024. KeAndre Lambert-Smith also exited with an injury, signaling early depth questions for LA's receiver corps.

Those hits cast a shadow over LA's passing game as fantasy managers weigh the impact. With Johnston possibly sidelined, Herbert's downfield options could shrink, elevating Keenan Allen and Palmer and potentially thrusting Lambert-Smith into a larger role if healthy. The Rams opened with a physical stance that underscores the risk of early-season injuries, leaving the Chargers to recalibrate their WR rotation while Johnston’s status remains the focal point for Week 1 projections.

Quentin Johnston, LA Chargers' 2023 first-rounder and a go-to deep target, left the preseason game against the Rams on the opening series after a big hit, carted off but later able to sit up. He finished last season as the team's top TD getter with eight grabs for 711 yards on 55 receptions, highlighting his big-play upside. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, a rookie, also exited with an injury, further thinning a Chargers receiving corps that already endured a rough camp and is without Rashawn Slater for the year after a torn patellar tendon. LA rolled out most starters despite health concerns on defense with Derwin James and Khalil Mack watching from the sideline. The Rams tested depth behind a lineup that keeps Herbert under center, while Johnston’s status looms large for immediate fantasy impact.

The injuries underscore how quickly a WR corps can shift in the NFL’s ongoing ladder of depth, with Johnston and Lambert-Smith as the primary names to monitor. Slater’s season-long absence leaves a palpable void on the line, salting the potential for pressure and affecting both Herbert’s timing and pass efficiency. In a preseason where top players rested, the Chargers emphasized evaluation of backups and role players, making immediate production from Johnson’s and Lambert-Smith’s replacements critical for fantasy managers in PPR formats.

Quentin Johnston’s injury on the opening series casts a cloud over Los Angeles’ WR depth early in the season. Johnston was Chargers’ presumed deep-ball option after posting a strong 2023 campaign, and his exit on a medical cart during a pre-season tilt against the Rams leaves his Week 1 status in question. If he misses time, Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith become the immediate beneficiaries, with Lambert-Smith entering as a rookie who could see expanded targets.

Herbert’s connection with Johnston has been a focal point, and the offense will need to adapt if Johnston is out. Derwin James and Khalil Mack — two starting defenders who were held out — weren’t available for the game, potentially amplifying the importance of depth pieces at receiver and the rest of the unit. Johnston finished last season with 55 receptions and 711 yards, leading the team in receiving touchdowns, making his health a notable fantasy prompt as rooks Harris and Lambert-Smith push for early opportunities.

Overall, the injury underscores how quickly valuable depth tests fantasy lineups in August. Monitor Johnston’s status as the week progresses, and watch how the Chargers rotate rookie targets in practice and in upcoming exhibitions. The Rams game offered a microcosm of the positional challenge ahead for the Chargers as they open preparations for a demanding schedule.