2026 Week 5 Fantasy Football: Chargers Ruled Out Report — Alt, James, and More

The Chargers are in chaos heading into Week 5. According to ProFootballTalk (NBC Sports), Los Angeles will be without both starting offensive tackles, their starting safety, two wide receivers, and multiple other starters for Sunday's game against the Broncos — and that's before accounting for several players listed as questionable, including a key pass catcher and their backup quarterback.

The headline injuries on the offensive line: left tackle Rashawn Slater is headed to injured reserve after ankle surgery, and right tackle Joe Alt is ruled out with a neck injury. Justin Herbert is going to face Denver behind a patchwork front. That's the context that colors every offensive fantasy decision below.

Trey Lance

Lance (groin) is listed as doubtful, per ProFootballTalk (NBC Sports), which makes him essentially ruled out. If he can't go, DJ Uiagalelei would back up Herbert. Lance is unrosterable in redraft unless Herbert somehow exits — and even then, Uiagalelei isn't a pickup worth burning a waiver claim on in most formats.

Quentin Johnston

Johnston is ruled out with a chest injury. That's a significant loss for Herbert's target distribution, and it directly connects to the situation for the receivers who are questionable — fewer healthy wideouts means more concentrated looks for whoever suits up.

Brenen Thompson

Thompson is also ruled out (quad). With both Johnston and Thompson out, the Chargers' wide receiver depth is genuinely thin. If you have a waiver wire claim ready (first-come, first-served priority on your league's free agent wire), check who's left standing on this depth chart — any surviving receiver could see a volume spike simply by process of elimination.

Ladd McConkey

McConkey is questionable with a foot injury. He's the name to watch most closely here. If he plays — even in a limited capacity — he's the likely focal point of Herbert's passing attack in a game where the offensive line is decimated and the other wideouts are either out or banged up. Monitor his status through Sunday morning. If he's active, the target share argument is real. If he's ruled out, Herbert's game script becomes a genuine concern with a makeshift line and no reliable receivers, and you should have a contingency starter ready.

Charlie Kolar

Kolar is questionable (forearm). Tight ends can quietly absorb targets in short, quick-game passing attacks — exactly what Herbert may be forced into with a compromised line. Kolar is a dart throw, not a lock, but if he's active and Ladd McConkey sits, he's worth a start in deeper formats where you're already searching for answers.