Team news: Los Angeles Chargers | Page 7

D.J. Chark says hamstring feels good and he’s optimistic about Week 1.

Related players: Jonathan Mingo, Adam Thielen, Terrace Marshall

Chark injured his hamstring last week. He's battling for targets with the rookie Mingo and slot-guy Thielen. Marshall has recently returned to practice as well, but Chark does have a chance to emerge as a valuable target in this offense.

Keenan Allen has been the focal receiver in Kellen Moore’s offense during camp. Some of that is the rapport he has with Herbert. But some of it, too, is how Moore is using Allen.

Related Players: Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer

It feels like we've been waiting for Keenan Allen to age out of fantasy production for years now, but when he's healthy, he's still an exceptional option in what should continue to be a high-powered offense. Allen missed seven games last season, but with no hiccups through camp, he is a fantastic selection when he slides towards the 5th Round.

J.K. Dobbins said he's now 100% after a devastating left knee injury two years ago. Asked about his absence, Dobbins paused for a few seconds and swayed side to side before saying, "I was just being cautious. I want to be there for my teammates, and that's all it was. My teammates understood what was going on. So, it's all good now I'm out here."

Related Players: Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Melvin Gordon

After all the hand-wringing over the summer, it seems like Dobbins will be back with the team, fully healthy, as the Week 1 starter. Congratulations to drafters who ignored the buzz, but it sure was a lot of buzz to ignore. Dobbins is currently ranked as a fringe RB2/3 in 4for4's rankings.

Frank Reich indicates D.J. Chark is injured and declines to expand on his situation "at this point." While Frank Reich wouldn't get into specifics on Chark, the fact he said the Panthers are not planning any "big moves" at WR suggests that it might not be too serious.

Related Players: Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo, Terrace Marshall

There are no specifics as of yet, but the fact that they would need to make *any* moves at all might be telling to the timetable they're thinking. Reading between the lines, we may assume that he will miss at least some regular-season playing time, which puts his fantasy prospects in doubt for a while. Chark was already going in the 13th round.

What has changed: Tyjae Spears has served notice: He is the most talented running back acquired by the Titans since they drafted Derrick Henry in the second round in 2016. He’s going to matter this season.

I thought Jonathan Ward would make this team as the No. 2 third-down back, with Julius Chestnut essentially backing up Henry. But Ward hurt his knee in the preseason opener and, though Hassan Haskins is also nicked up now, he and Chestnut do enough on special teams to both make the team.

The story went on to say: Chestnut was the star Saturday with 98 yards rushing and a touchdown rushing and receiving. His TD catch was excellent, and everyone should listen to Vrabel when he says Chestnut, “embodies what we believe in.” It seems like a crowded backfield behind Henry, but it sounds like Spears could have a role in the offense with, perhaps, Chestnut an injury away from a significant role.

Terrace Marshall just took a front seat ride on a cart. Not sure what happened there. Didn’t seem like anything super dramatic.

Related players: D.J. Chark, Jonathan Mingo, Adam Thielen, Laviska Shenault

Other reports claimed HC Frank Reich said Marshall tweaked something in his back. Marshall has been a disappointment after getting second round draft capital in 2021. He's battling for a top-three spot on the re-made Panthers offense, but we put him behind Chark, Mingo and Thielen on our fantasy depth chart.

Sources: Ravens’ RB J.K. Dobbins, who has not yet practiced during training camp, is being activated today off the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Related players: Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Melvin Gordon

The Ravens have been indicating Dobbins would return to the team sooner than later. Many feel Dobbins was "holding in" as he's been rumored to want a new contract. Because of his injury history, he could need to prove his worth in what is the final year of his rookie contract. Dobbins was impressive in the second half of the season after returning from injury, putting up rushing lines of 15-120-1, 13-125-0, 12-59-0 and 17-93-0. In the playoff game he rushed for 13-62, but also caught four balls for 43 yards and he's expected to be more involved in the Ravens new passing offense this season.

Keeping Keaton Mitchell over Melvin Gordon. Gordon has looked good in training camp and showed some juice in the preseason opener. But Mitchell’s speed, elusiveness and return ability make him an intriguing prospect. With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards eligible for free agency after the season, it makes more sense to keep a younger back.

Related players: Justice Hill

Gordon is 30, but despite looking pretty good up to this point he's considered on the bubble because teams usually side with youth. The story said it's possible the Ravens only keeps three RBs on the roster, but acknowledged there is plenty of injury history with Dobbins and Edwards. Of course, Dobbins remains out, but rumors and stories say his return to the team is close.

While the Ravens have been going about business as usual on the field with Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Melvin Gordon III and undrafted rookies Keaton Mitchell and Owen Wright. However, considering the massive role Dobbins could have in the Ravens offense this season and the installation of Todd Monken's new scheme, it's imperative that J.K. Dobbins gets in practice time before Week 1.

Per coach John Harbaugh, "You know, I don't know. It's a fair question, and there is a point in time when it does become a concern," Harbaugh said. "J.K. and I talked last night. We talk a lot. He wants to be out there, and he needs to be out there, just like any player does. Other than that, there's nothing else I can really add. I don't know when he's going to come back, but I know I'm going to be really happy when he does."

Things really feel like they're coming to a head here, with Dobbins still not participating in Ravens training camp. His status as a solid RB2 in fantasy football is teetering week-by-week.

The Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert have agreed to terms on a five-year, $262.5 million contract extension, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal comes a day before the Bolts open training camp and keeps Herbert, 25, under contract in L.A. through the 2029 season.

A huge deal for a fantastic fantasy and real life quarterback. This eradicates the headache from a possible problem in the future before it gets that far. Herbert is currently ranked as a top-7 fantasy QB heading into the 2023 season.