The Los Angeles Chargers received a small but encouraging sign amid a challenging training camp: wide receiver Ladd McConkey returned to 11-on-11 drills on Tuesday, catching five passes from Justin Herbert, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
“I feel really good,” McConkey said after practice. “Felt great to get back out there, run out a little bit, catching passes. It was good. I feel like I’m there now, just building everything back up, getting in the swing of things, getting my conditioning back to where it needs to be. I feel solid, feel good.”
The 2024 second-round pick has been sidelined by an undisclosed upper-leg injury since July 28, missing nearly two weeks of practice. While the Chargers initially downplayed the situation, calling it “extremely minor,” the extended absence has fueled concern among fans. The team has been cautious in releasing details, with head coach Jim Harbaugh historically tight-lipped about injury information.
Ladd McConkey’s Importance To The Los Angeles Chargers Raises The Stakes For His Week-to-Week Health
McConkey’s health is particularly critical given his role in the offense. Last season, he emerged as one of the team’s top offensive playmakers, and the Chargers’ recent re-signing of veteran Keenan Allen only underscores the value of keeping McConkey on the field. Allen’s addition may provide some buffer if McConkey’s recovery extends, but the Chargers cannot afford to start the season without him at full strength.
It’s not the first time McConkey has had to manage his health. Despite technically missing only one game last season, the rookie dealt with a series of injuries—hip, shoulder, and knee—that stuck him on the official injury report from Week 6 onward.
While McConkey could be available for Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams, the longer the injury lingers in training camp, the greater the risk it could affect the team’s early-season performance. Los Angeles opens 2025 with three critical divisional matchups, and starting 0-3 in those games would be a tough setback.
Popper noted that McConkey’s return to full-team drills is a positive development, but also reflects a new reality for the Chargers: even minor injuries to key players are being treated with extreme caution, and fans may need to adjust expectations accordingly. As McConkey works to regain peak conditioning, the hope is that his absence remains short-lived and the team can enter Week 1 with a near-full roster.
For now, McConkey’s progress provides a measure of relief, but the Chargers’ recent history with injuries—including Rashawn Slater’s season-ending patellar tendon tear—serves as a reminder of how quickly optimism can turn to concern. Maintaining McConkey’s health may be just as important as his on-field contributions as the Chargers aim for a strong start in 2025.
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