Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (groin) is questionable for Sunday's meeting with the New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old has yet to take the field as a Charger. However, he's moving in the right direction after logging three limited practices throughout the week. Los Angeles is hurting on the offensive side of the ball, with Quentin Johnston (ankle) doubtful and Ladd McConkey (hip) questionable. If Chark is active for this one, he could see limited snaps. But if McConkey and Johnston are ruled out, Chark would enter the flex conversation
Oct 26, 2024 12:16 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (groin) was again listed as limited in his team's first practice of the week. It's Chark's fourth straight limited session since the Chargers activated his 21-day practice window last Wednesday. The 28-year-old was placed on injured reserve just one day before the team's season opener. He may return to the field this Sunday when LA squares off against the visiting New Orleans Saints. The Chargers could certainly stand to use him, considering fellow wideouts Ladd McConkey (hip), Quentin Johnston (ankle), and Derius Davis (ankle) were all tagged with DNPs on Wednesday. As were tight ends Will Dissly (shoulder) and Hayden Hurst (groin). LA could be looking at a severely depleted pass-catching corps if things don't change in short order. Expect a better indication of Chark's status for Week 8 over the coming days.
Oct 23, 2024 10:37 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Chark was recently designated to return from the injured reserve and could make his season debut on Monday. He has been limited in practice this week, but still has a chance of suiting up. The Chargers could certainly use the help with Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Ladd McConkey (hip) both on the injury report as well. If both of them sit, Chark could have a bigger role on Monday, but isn't expected to be a significant contributor on the run-heavy Chargers offense.
Oct 19, 2024 6:24 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Ladd McConkey (hip), DJ Chark (groin) and Simi Fehoko (groin, shoulder) were all limited in practice on Thursday. In addition, Quentin Johnston (ankle) was a DNP, so LA's receiving corps is pretty banged up heading into a Monday night matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7. Chark returned to practice this week for the first time since landing on Injured Reserve before the season opener, but it's unclear if he'll be activated this weekend in order to make his 2024 debut against the Cardinals. Whenever the 28-year-old does return, he'll merely be fighting for targets behind Johnston, McConkey and Joshua Palmer. The rookie McConkey has been quarterback Justin Herbert's favorite target and has 19 catches for 219 yards and two TDs in his first five NFL games. If he's active, fantasy managers should treat him as a WR3/flex against the Cardinals.
Oct 17, 2024 11:00 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) is set to have his practice window open on Wednesday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Chark has been on the injured reserve since the opening week with a hip injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during practice this week as he could make his 2024 season debut on Monday evening against the Arizona Cardinals. Last season, Chark caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five scores with the Carolina Panthers. When Chark returns, he should compete for targets with Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnson, and Ladd McConkey and should be left on all waiver wires for now.
Oct 16, 2024 4:53 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver D.J. Chark (hip) has spent the first four weeks of the season on the PUP list and is expected to resume practicing ahead of Week 5 when the team is on its bye, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Chargers' early bye week is convenient for Chark as it gives him extra time to practice while (potentially) missing no more than the minimum four games. Once activated, Chark figures to command a few looks per game in an offense where the other top wide receivers are Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Josh Palmer. Still, Chark is off the fantasy radar ahead of his eventual return.
Sep 29, 2024 8:58 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) has been placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. This means Chark will now miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. He continues battling a hip issue that looks like it's going to need more time to heal. His absence should mean more targets for Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, and rookie Ladd McConkey to open the season. Out of the three, Palmer probably has the most streaming appeal, but Johnson and McConkey should get chances as well. Chark isn't someone who needs to be stashed in most fantasy formats.
Sep 7, 2024 6:45 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) will miss Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Chark, who joined the Chargers on a one-year deal this offseason, was expected to be a key starter. With him sidelined, Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston will lead the Chargers' receiving corps in Week 1. Palmer is likely to see the most significant boost in opportunities, but McConkey and Johnston will also get a chance to prove themselves. Given the anticipated run-heavy approach for the Chargers, it may not be wise to start any of their wide receivers this week. Chark, who didn't practice this week, aims for a return on September 15 against the Panthers.
Sep 6, 2024 6:20 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) picked up another DNP and was unable to practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Chark still has one more day to get on the practice field, but as of right now, things aren't looking good for his chances of being active for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday at Sofi Stadium against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The 27-year-old initially suffered a hip injury on Aug. 19 during training camp. When healthy, Chark is expected to be the field-stretcher for the Bolts as their WR3 in a run-first offense behind Joshua Palmer and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey. Even if Chark is able to practice on Friday and ends up playing on Sunday, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep him on their benches. If Chark is inactive, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would step into the WR3 role for LA against the Raiders.
Sep 5, 2024 10:03 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Chark has been dealing with the injury for a couple of weeks and has not practiced at all this week. The Chargers need Chark's big play ability and experience in a relatively inexperienced wide receiving room. In 15 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Chark demonstrated that he can still be a solid contributor. He posted 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns. The Chargers would certainly welcome those numbers in 2024. Chark is likely off the fantasy radar. However, should he miss game time, there is more intrigue for wide receivers Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston. Chark's absence would especially open the door for Johnston to prove himself in this offense.
Sep 4, 2024 6:24 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) was not seen at the period of practice on Monday that was open to the media. It's no concerning that Chark hasn't practiced at all for the last two weeks with the Chargers due to a hip injury. There's a chance Chark was limited in practice on Monday after reporters left, but we'll have a better idea of his status heading into the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders when the Bolts post their first official injury report on Wednesday. When healthy, the 27-year-old is expected to start in three-wide sets in 2024 in his first year in LA alongside Joshua Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey. Especially considering his injury, Chark has been going undrafted in standard 12-team leagues. If he's limited or out this Sunday, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would enter the starting lineup against Vegas.
Sep 2, 2024 7:25 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (undisclosed) remained on the sideline during Thursday's practice. The veteran wideout was banged up during Monday's practice. Chark has been on the sideline since then as he continues to nurse what is believed to be a hip injury. However, the Chargers haven't commented much on Chark or the injury. The expectation is that Chark is going to miss Saturday's preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Right now, Chark is competing for the third wideout spot alongside Quentin Johnston. Chark hasn't been a viable option in fantasy leagues for a few years. That being said, fantasy managers can leave him on the waiver wire in 12-team redraft formats to begin the season.
Aug 22, 2024 6:56 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark came up limping after the opening play of 11-on-11 work at training camp practice on Monday and was grabbing at his left-hip flexor. It's something to watch for the rest of the practice week and heading into the team's preseason finale this Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys. In his first year in LA, the 27-year-old is expected to help replace receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams alongside Joshua Palmer and rookie second-rounder Ladd McConkey in starting three-wide sets. Chark is no stranger to injuries -- he missed 22 games from 2020 to 2022 -- and if he's forced to miss time entering the start of the 2024 regular season, it will open up playing time for former first-rounder Quentin Johnston. Chark should be better than he was in 2023 in a bad Panthers offense if he can stay healthy this year, but he should be left to the waiver wire to begin the year in 12-team leagues.
Aug 19, 2024 11:07 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark has been operating with the first team's offense during training camp. The Los Angeles Chargers have 320 vacated targets heading into the 2024 season, and this receiver room is ripe for the taking. Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston are the primary returning wideouts for quarterback Justin Herbert, and while they have the most experience with the former sixth pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, Chark does have a chance to outplay them. Chark broke out in 2019 with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns but has not matched any of those totals since then. He'll be on his fourth team in four years, which shows some insight into how the teams he's been a part of view him. However, Chark has enough athleticism and will be afforded the best quarterback play of his career this year with LA. He's an afterthought in drafts right now as the NFFC WR88 (272 overall) and has some nice sleeper upside going into a year with such a murky WR room around him.
Jul 26, 2024 10:18 PM EST
The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free agent wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. to a one-year, $5 million contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Chark reportedly visited with the Chargers prior to last week's NFL Draft. He could play a key role in Los Angeles after the team parted with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason. Right now, their current depth chart is headlined by Chark, Quentin Johnston, and Joshua Palmer, as well as up-and-coming rookies Ladd McConkey and Brenden Rice. Chark spent last season with the Carolina Panthers, catching 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns over the course of 15 games. While the Chargers lack a true alpha receiver at the moment, they have plenty of raw talent at the position, which could make it difficult for Chark to carve out a role. For now, fantasy managers should monitor his performance throughout training camp before they consider selecting him in drafts later this summer.
May 2, 2024 10:53 PM EST
Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr., one of the top free-agent receivers available with less than a week until the NFL draft, spent Thursday on a visit with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to a source. The Chargers may draft a receiver as early as the fifth overall pick next Thursday night, but they still need starters and Chark could be an option to help build depth at the position now that Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both gone. The 27-year-old Chark had a 1,000-yard season with the Jaguars in 20219 and scored eight touchdowns, but injuries and inconsistency have limited him in four years since and he hasn't been reliable for fantasy managers. Chark might be intriguing as a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts if he were to land in LA, but it would also depend on what the Chargers do at the position in the upcoming draft.
Apr 19, 2024 2:05 PM EST
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. caught two of his four targets for 46 yards in a 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. Chark wound up leading the team in receiving in the loss. He was quiet for most of the season but finished the year on a high note as he went for nine catches, 162 yards, and two touchdowns over his final three games. Chark will look to catch on with another team this offseason as he will be an unrestricted free-agent.
Jan 7, 2024 5:40 PM EST
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. (foot) was targeted six times in Week 17 but he managed to catch just one ball for 18 yards. Chark was limited in practice with a foot injury on Wednesday but was able to practice fully on Thursday and Friday and is listed without an injury designation heading into Sunday. The veteran wideout will look to bounce back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. Tampa Bay has been generous to wideouts this season as they are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Chark is just two weeks removed from a two-touchdown game and should see extra looks this weekend with Jonathan Mingo (foot) placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. Chark is in play as a cheap dart throw in DFS tournaments this weekend.
Jan 6, 2024 8:06 AM EST
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Chark (foot) was able to log a full practice session after being limited by a foot injury on Wednesday. With Jonathan Mingo (foot) now on injured reserve, a healthy Chark would operate as a clear number two behind Adam Thielen against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers soft pass defense in Week 18. When the teams last squared off in Week 13, Chark came up with three catches on four targets for 53 yards. Even in a plus matchup, it will be hard to trust Chark to produce fantasy-relevant numbers, given that Carolina's offense has generated the fewest yards per game and second-fewest points per game in the league.
Jan 4, 2024 2:11 PM EST
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Chark (foot) is listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a foot injury. The 27-year-old had his best showing of the season in Week 16, catching six passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. However, he posted just one catch for 18 yards in Week 17. Despite Jonathan Mingo (foot) landing on Injured Reserve and a favorable matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on deck, it's tough to trust any Panthers' pass-catcher in fantasy football at this point. Chark can be utilized as a cheap boom-or-bust DFS option, but he should be nowhere near starting fantasy lineups in Week 18.
Jan 3, 2024 2:50 PM EST