Khalil Mack’s injury-limited presence stung the Chargers’ pass rush in the 27-10 loss to Washington, exposing a defense that also battled tackling and discipline lapses. Jayden Daniels carved through San Diego for 231 yards and a TD as Washington’s offense exploited gaps created by scheme and misreads, while the Commanders finished with 163 rushing yards. The Chargers’ 10 penalties and a sputtering run defense helped the blowout, but Mack’s return is imminent and could stabilize a unit that needs upgrades beyond the star edge.

Kliff Kingsbury’s attack exposed vulnerabilities in the Chargers’ front and back seven, underscoring their need for upgrades across the defense and depth on the line. San Diego remains in a precarious spot atop the AFC West, especially with a schedule heavy on divisional and high-powered offenses ahead. The good news: Mack isn’t out for the long term, and the front office has cap space and draft capital to pursue fixes, including the secondary and edge depth. Fantasy angles hinge on how quickly the defense stabilizes and which Chargers targets—Johnston, Allen—surge as the offense regroups against tougher foes.

Week 5's Washington–Los Angeles showdown at SoFi tests depth and playmaking in fantasy terms, with both sides dealing with injuries and big-question matchups. Washington must navigate a banged-up offense and aging star Bobby Wagner while Jayden Daniels returns with a brace. Los Angeles counters with Derwin James’s versatility and a banged offensive line that Washington can target, while Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen loom as top targets. Five marquee battles will largely shape the fantasy upside of this clash.

Expect a high-variance game where rescuers emerge from the depth charts. Washington’s receivers could be limited if Terry McLaurin sits, pushing Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey into larger roles, while the Chargers lean on Herbert’s arm and McConkey’s reliability against a mid-tier Commanders secondary. The Week 5 outcomes hinge on how these five matchups resolve in real time.

Chargers add a bevy of pass-catching options around Justin Herbert, with Keenan Allen anchoring a revamped group alongside Tre Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and a hopeful third-year leap from Quentin Johnston. Rookie Ladd McConkey has shouldered much of the early passing workload, while the tight end room has stalled behind Tyler Conklin and Oronde Gadsden II, who has out-snapped Conklin after Will Dissly’s injury. A Week 4 loss to the Giants exposed gaps, and LA now leans on Herbert’s ceiling as Tuipulotu provides a bright spot and Mack battles back from IR. The fantasy takeaway: expect week-to-week volatility in the receiving corps, with McConkey and Allen offering steady upside and Johnston maturing into a bigger role as the TE situation remains in flux.

Tuipulotu exploded for four sacks, nine tackles, five tackles for loss and five quarterback hits against the Giants, a breakout night with the Chargers missing a pair of premier pass rushers. The performance spotlighted a ceiling that could lift LA’s defense into elite territory if he sustains pressure and clean lanes. Derwin James' presence adds stability, but Tuipulotu’s surge is the headline worth chasing in IDP formats.

For fantasy managers, this isn't just a one-off show. If the burst continues, Tuipulotu becomes a legitimate weekly DL option in defensive scoring leagues, with upside in sacks and tackles for loss. Watch how teams adjust to him—if he remains the primary spark on the edge, the Chargers could push their entire defensive unit into a higher ceiling.