Chargers have improved under Jim Harbaugh but are still struggling in close games
Jim Harbaugh has brought toughness to the Los Angeles Chargers3 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
JOSHUA PALMER #5 - WIDE RECEIVER - LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
492 YDS •
30 REC •
1 TD
492 YDS
30 REC
1 TD
Emerges as top target Palmer caught six of his nine targets for 78 yards in the 19-17 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
Impact With Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) out, Palmer took over as the team's top option, although quarterback Justin Herbert did spread the ball around to eight separate targets in the contest. Palmer had been held to just 11 receptions for 243 yards in the last six games combined, so the evidence seems pretty clear the fourth-year wideout's significant bump ties directly to McConkey's status. That will be something to monitor next week given the Chargers take on the porous Cincinnati defense in what could be an offensive explosion.
4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
One catch against Atlanta Palmer caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Falcons.
Impact Palmer had a quiet day against the Falcons, as his 11 receiving yards accounted for his lowest total in a contest this season. The veteran wideout played 63 percent of the Chargers offensive snaps Sunday, his lowest snap since Week 10. Through 11 games, Palmer has recorded just 24 catches for 414 yards and one touchdown in what has been an underwhelming 2024 campaign for the fourth-year receiver. The 25-year-old will be remain difficult to trust for fantasy purposes as the Chargers head into a Week 14 matchup against the Raiders.
DECEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Struggles with eight targets Palmer finished with three receptions (eight targets) for 38 yards in Monday's 30-23 loss to Baltimore.
Impact Palmer led the Chargers in targets, but the wideout finished just third in receptions and yardage Monday. It was actually the 24-year-old's best output since Week 9, highlighting the underwhelming nature of his performance in 2024. Palmer should only be considered a deep-league option in Week 13 in a road matchup against Atlanta.
NOVEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE
Hardly involved in passing game Palmer caught two of his four targets for 23 yards in the 34-27 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Impact It appears as if both Ladd McConkey (6-9-123) and Quentin Johnston (six touchdowns this season) have surpassed Palmer, who was once presumed to be the team's defacto No. 1 to begin the year. The 2021 third-round pick has yet to surpass more than five targets in a game, but he's at least seen four or more targets in all but three contests this season. That low volume could change next week as the Chargers try to keep pace with the Ravens.
NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Only one catch Palmer tallied 36 yards on his one reception (two targets) in the 27-17 win over the Titans on Sunday.
Impact The Chargers once again finished with more rushing attempts (39) than pass attempts (18) limiting any sort of volume Palmer might have been able to compile. It's a feast or famine fantasy system in Los Angeles dependent on wide receivers scoring touchdowns. It's possible there will be more passing volume against the porous Bengals defense next week.
NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Strong production on two targets Palmer brought in two of four targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' 27-10 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Impact Palmer made good use of his pair of grabs, recording a 28-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter and adding a 26-yard catch on the final drive of the first half. Palmer was also credited with an additional nine receiving yards on an end-of-half lateral, leading to his third straight game with 60-plus receiving yards. Palmer has yet to see more than five targets in any game this season, however, so he remains a somewhat risky option dependent on efficiency heading into a Week 10 home matchup against the Titans.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Justin Herbert throws 2 TD passes, Chargers clamp down on Jameis Winston in 27-10 win over Browns
Justin Herbert passed for 250 yards and two touchdowns — all in the first half — to lead the Los Angeles Chargers to a 27-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns, who couldn’t get any...NOVEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joshua Palmer: "We Know How Talented We Are" Wide receiver Joshua Palmer meets with the media after the Chargers' victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season.
OCTOBER 28 • CHARGERS.COM
Herbert Dots 45-Yard Dime To Joshua Palmer In Stride Quarterback Justin Herbert dots a 45-yard dime to Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer in stride.
OCTOBER 28 • CHARGERS.COM
Continues upward trajectory Palmer caught two of four targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 26-8 win over the Saints.
Impact Palmer didn't see significant volume but made the most of his limited touches with catches of 27 and 45 yards. He has increased his receiving yardage total in all six of his appearances this season, with a jump from 38 yards in Week 6 to 63 in Week 7 preceding Sunday's season-best effort, but Palmer has yet to score a touchdown this season. Palmer will look to snap that touchdown drought in Week 9 against the Browns.
OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE
Continues upward trajectory Palmer caught two of four targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 26-8 win over the Saints.
Impact Palmer didn't see significant volume but made the most of his limited touches with catches of 27 and 45 yards. He has increased his receiving yardage total in all six of his appearances this season, with a jump from 38 yards in Week 6 to 63 in Week 7 preceding Sunday's season-best effort, but Palmer has yet to score a touchdown this season. Palmer will look to snap that touchdown drought in Week 9 against the Browns.
OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE
Mic'd Up: Joshua Palmer vs. Arizona Cardinals Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer mic'd up for Monday's matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Presented by Hyundai.
OCTOBER 23 • CHARGERS.COM
Joshua Palmer on What Bolts Can Learn From Loss vs. Cardinals Wide receiver Joshua Palmer speaks to the media following the Chargers matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
OCTOBER 22 • CHARGERS.COM
Solid but unspectacular in loss Palmer secured four of five targets for 63 yards in the Chargers' 17-15 loss to the Cardinals on Monday night.
Impact Palmer was expected to see a larger role with the absence of No. 2 receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle), but he saw only a slight bump in targets. The extra involvement was enough to allow Palmer to set season highs across the board, yet he was only third in catches and fourth in targets, with tight end Will Dissly surprisingly setting the pace across the board for the Chargers' pass catchers. Palmer next takes aim at the Saints in a Week 8 home matchup, a game that Johnston could also potentially sit out.
OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE
Not involved much in win Palmer caught two of his three targets for 38 yards in the 23-17 win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Impact Simi Fehoko, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey all saw more targets than Palmer, but the 25-year-old did play the second-most snaps of any Chargers wideout. The offense just doesn't pass the ball often enough to have more than one target be a consistent fantasy factor, and right now Palmer is no better than third on the target chart week to week.
OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE
Four catches in return Palmer recorded three receptions on four targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Palmer returned from a one-game absence caused by an elbow and calf issue. He finished tied for third on the team in targets -- behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston -- and did the majority of his damage on a 26-yard reception late in the third quarter. While it wasn't a particularly impressive performance, it was Palmer's highest yardage total in a game this season.
SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE
In clear for Week 4 Palmer (elbow/calf) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Impact The pair of injuries kept Palmer from practicing Week 3 before he sat out a 20-10 loss to the Steelers, but after opening Week 4 prep with limited and full practices, he's on track to put an end to his one-game absence this Sunday versus the Chiefs. What's less clear is which quarterback Palmer might be working with, as Justin Herbert aggravated an ankle injury against Pittsburgh and has been limited in both of the Chargers' first Week 4 practices. If Herbert can't go, Palmer would find himself on the receiving end of targets from either Taylor Heinicke or Easton Stick.
SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to limited practice Palmer (elbow/calf) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.
Impact Palmer didn't practice at all ahead of Week 3 action, so his participation in Wednesday's session, albeit in a limited fashion, offers hope that his absence from the lineup may last just one game. The wideout has two more chances to increase his participation level ahead of Sunday's contest against the Chiefs.
SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
Not playing Week 3 Palmer (elbow/calf) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Impact Though Palmer failed to practice in any fashion this week due to his pair of injuries, the Chargers still held out some hope the wideout could be available Sunday, as he was listed as questionable heading into the weekend. He'll ultimately miss his first game of the season, however, with his absence perhaps paving the way for either Simi Fehoko or Derius Davis to join Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey in three-receiver sets. The Chargers offense could end up skewing more run-heavy than usual, given the absence of Palmer along with the fact that quarterback Justin Herbert may be compromised a bit as he plays through a high-ankle sprain.
SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE
Status in question for Sunday Palmer (elbow/calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.
Impact Palmer was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday due to elbow and calf injuries, but neither concern is enough to rule him out for Week 3 action. In the end, his availability will be confirmed, one way or another, about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey would stand to benefit if Palmer is inhibited or sidelined this weekend, with Derius Davis, Simi Fehoko and Brenden Rice the other available wide receivers on the Chargers' active roster.
SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE
Misses Thursday's practice Palmer (calf/elbow) did not practice Thursday.
Impact Palmer played through a knee issue during Los Angeles' win over the Panthers in Week 2, but he's now missed back-to-back practices while being listed with two new injuries. Versus Carolina, though, Palmer caught one of just two targets for 19 yards while only playing 41 percent of offensive snaps. If he can't practice in at least a limited fashion Friday, it looks like Palmer could be facing an uphill battle to play Sunday versus Pittsburgh.
SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with new injuries Palmer (elbow/calf) didn't practice Wednesday.
Impact Palmer is listed with a new pair of injuries after being questionable last week due to a problem with his knee. He ended up playing in Sunday's 25-3 win over the Panthers, catching both of his targets for 19 yards while playing only 41 percent of snap on offense. It's possible his role will be scaled back again if he ends up playing this Sunday at Pittsburgh.
SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE
Minimal production against Panthers Palmer caught both of his targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 26-3 win over the Panthers.
Impact Through two weeks, Palmer has recorded just four catches for 34 yards. The veteran wideout has yet to establish himself as the Chargers' top option in the passing game, while teammates Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey have earned more attention for their roles in the offense. Nonetheless, Palmer will look to take a step forward in Week 3 when the Chargers visit the Steelers.
SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE
Chargers success in running game gives time for inexperienced passing game to get up to speed
During his first four years in the NFL, Justin Herbert had 13 games where he had at least 47 pass attemptsSEPTEMBER 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
