Team news: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers plan to activate TE Hayden Hurst from Injured Reserve to play in tonight’s game against the Broncos, source says.

Hurst went on IR with a hip injury in late November, but he’s practiced fully since having his window opened this week.

Related Players: Stone Smartt, Will Dissly

This puts a bit of a damper on Smartt as a streaming option in Week 16, as he should lose a little bit of usage to the vet. When (if) Dissly returns, he will likely also be off the radar as the situation gets a little too clogged up.

Jim Harbaugh said that Ladd McConkey (knee) is “working through a couple things.”

Harbaugh added and that the team will evaluate where he’s at as the week progresses. The post went on to say, when asked about the possibility of McConkey practicing this week, Harbaugh said, “We’ll see.” This certainly has a different tone it seems. Hopefully we get a clearer picture of McConkey's status for Week 14. The Chargers travel to KC for a Sunday night game, so owners are going to need some kind of backup plan if McConkey comes down to a game-time call and ends up not playing.

The Chargers are placing running back J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve with an MCL sprain.

Dobbins suffered the injury during Monday night’s loss to the Ravens. This is more of a cautionary move from the Chargers to make sure he is healthy for the stretch run and potentially the playoffs. Dobbins will now miss at least the next four games against the Falcons, Chiefs, Buccaneers and Broncos. Gus Edwards is in line to see a majority of the work in Dobbins’ absence. He carried nine times against the Ravens.

Chargers standout RB JK Dobbins suffered a knee sprain in Monday’s game that will cause him to miss some time, sources say.

He’s out this week against the Falcons and up in the air after that. Gus Edwards is his backup.

Related Players: Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins

Vidal was a healthy scratch in Week 12, so signs are pointing up for Edwards' usage this coming week. He should be considered a high-end RB3 while Vidal can't be trusted after spending Monday Night on the sidelines.

The broadcast revealed it was a knee injury for J.K. Dobbins, who was seen wearing a sizeable brace on the sideline. Dobbins would not return to the game and in his postgame presser following the loss, head coach Jim Harbaugh provided no real update.

Related players: Gus Edwards, Kimani Vidal

There was no update as of early Tuesday. For now, owners will just need to hold their breath a bit. The Chargers are already on a short week with the Monday night game and now head into Week 13, which is a Sunday game in the early window at the Falcons. We should hear more about Dobbins injury today, but owners will probably want to prepare to be without him because of the shorter week. Edwards would likely take over the early down work with Vidal possibly seeing passing down snaps, or working as a change of pace back.

Ladd McConkey (shoulder) is back at Chargers practice today.

Related Players: Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, Derius Davis

McConkey looks like he will suit up, which puts him in a great spot as a fantasy WR2 against the Baltimore Ravens' secondary.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert (ankle) is expected to start Sunday against the Chiefs.

Herbert started Week 3 but seemed to re-aggravate the injury, leading to Taylor Heinicke entering the game. Herbert went through the week without any setbacks. Certainly there’s some caution after last week but Herbert does sound like he’s in a better position than he was entering last week’s game. Proceed with caution and consider another option if you have one, just in case.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who aggravated his high-ankle sprain against the Steelers and exited the game, had X-Rays that were negative after the game, source said.

Related players: Taylor Heinicke

Herbert will continue to be monitored this week but his status is at least up in the air heading into Week 4, a game with the Chiefs. Herbert was seen with a boot after the game, and didn't return after leaving in the third quarter, but it's possible the Chargers were just being cautious with their start QB. We'll know more as the week goes on. Heinicke would get the start if Herbert can't go.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert appeared to have re-aggravated his ankle injury during Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

Taylor Heinicke is currently in the game for the Chargers. Herbert just suffered his high-ankle injury last week but was able to practice, though he was heavily taped up while doing so. Herbert was 12//8 for 125 yards and a touchdown before leaving.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert will test his ankle before Sunday's game against the Steelers and there is optimism he will be able to go.

Herbert is listed as questionable after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Panthers. He did practice Friday but his ankle was heavily taped. This would be quite a quick recovery for Herbert. It's probably best to err on the side of caution with Herbert and lean towards him not playing. He's currently our QB28 because of the strong question mark on his playing status. Easton Stick would be in line to start if Herbert is out.