Los Angeles Chargers star wide receiver Ladd McConkey has been activated to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for today’s Week 15 game after recovering from a knee/shoulder injury, NFL Insider Tom Pelissero has confirmed.
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The rookie wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers has played through a series of injuries this season but remains an important part of the offense.
He first injured his shoulder during the Chargers’ Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals but returned to finish with six receptions for 123 yards. McConkey continued to play through the shoulder issue until he suffered a knee injury in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons. Despite the setback, he hauled in nine catches for 117 yards in that game.
Since spraining his knee in Week 13, McConkey has been listed as limited on the injury report and missed last Sunday’s game against Kansas City, a professional career first for him.
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However, the Chargers have confirmed his return for Week 15. McConkey is having an impressive rookie season, with 58 catches, 815 yards, and four touchdowns on 81 targets, and will look to build on those numbers moving forward.
Before missing last week’s game against the Chiefs, Ladd McConkey had become a reliable target for quarterback Justin Herbert, posting three consecutive games with at least six receptions, including a nine-catch performance against the Falcons. It’s evident that Herbert has developed strong chemistry with McConkey and trusts him in crucial situations.
Now, McConkey and the Chargers face a Buccaneers defense that allows the most receptions per game in the NFL (25.3). With Herbert back to full health and the Bucs’ pass defense ranked among the league’s worst, there is significant potential for the Chargers to have a big game through the air.
McConkey emerged as a key contributor for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he played a pivotal role in their back-to-back national championships. McConkey also won the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy, recognizing his excellence both on and off the field.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, McConkey was selected 34th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers, with the pick acquired via trade with the New England Patriots. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $9.9 million, including a $4 million signing bonus. McConkey made an immediate impact in his NFL debut, scoring a receiving touchdown in a 22–10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.
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