COVER CHARGER
Injurie sg ive jolt to WR for Bolts
‘BEST” is one of the best words. It can mean many things. You can best an opponent. You might be the best man. Could be, you’re just second-best.
You have best friends, you try to do your best. There is a best in show, lists of “best of.” If you’re near the top of such a list, you are among the best of the bests. If you’re No. 1, then the absolute best. If you’re not on a “bests” list, then maybe you’re just in company with the best of the rest.
Such is the case with the available crop of Chargers wide receivers in Week 9. This week, Mike Williams will miss the first of an expected multi-game absence because of an ankle injury. And Keenan Allen reportedly suffered a setback during the week in his recovery from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him much of the season.
That’s the top two WR options for quarterback Justin Herbert. Plus, one of the backup options, Jalen Guyton, is out for the season with a torn ACL. Yet we know Herbert is a prolific passer. We know he can put up big numbers. We know the Falcons’ defense he will face Sunday is soft against the pass and is league-worst defending opposing fantasy wide receivers.
So someone is going to have a big day in the receiving corp, right? Well, best of luck with this gang. But, we do have some optimism because of the factors we just mentioned.
Joshua Palmer has cleared concussion protocol and should play. He is second to Williams in targets among Chargers WRs, with 40. He has gotten extra usage thanks to Allen’s expected absences, and that use should expand this week. Plus, Palmer is still available in a shrinking percentage of leagues, so make your best effort quickly.
The Madman likes Palmer as a solid WR option in PPR leagues, and definitely an outstanding Flex play. We expect the best possible version of Palmer. He even has limited “pop” potential to be among the top scorers at the position this week. We’ll take that for seasonal lineups and as an affordable DFS option.
Obviously, we’re more hesitant here in seasonal formats on DeAndre Carter, because his floor and ceiling are both lower than Palmer’s. But for DFS purposes, at bare-bones prices, as a sharp contrarian answer to what will certainly be a deluge of Palmer usage? Carter is one of our best ideas.
And a memo from the “Duh” Department: Tight end Gerald Everett, scarcely available, should get an increase in targets. Use confidently in seasonal, but with some reservation for usage avoidance in DFS. More: Keep an eye on Austin Ekeler’s abdomen issue, but if he plays, duh, use him.
So best wishes navigating what is unlikely to be the Chargers’ best week.