Joshua

Palmer

Palmer led the Chargers in targets despite getting nicked up a couple times in the second half of the meaningless game. Palmer ends the year with 38 receptions for 581 yards and three touchdowns. He missed about half the season with a knee injury and also sustained a brain injury late in the year. Palmer, signed through the 2024 season, profiles as LA’s No. 3 wideout next year. He won’t be draftable in most fantasy formats.

Palmer will be on the field with the Chargers to close out the season and has a chance to serve as the team’s WR1. He’ll be an interesting play in DFS leagues and will be a WR3 against a Chiefs defense that is expected to sit a handful of starters. Playing in two games with Easton Stick, Palmer has gone for 9-160-1 and will have a chance to close out 2023 with one more strong performance.

Palmer missed last week’s game against the Broncos but has a chance to suit up for the season finale against the Chiefs. In what will likely be a battle of the backups, Palmer has a chance to close the year on a high note despite Easton Stick lining up under center. In two games with Stick, Palmer has caught nine passes for 160 yards and one touchdown, averaging 17.8 yards per reception. With Keenan Allen (heel) unlikely to play in Week 18, Palmer could lead the Chargers’ receiving corps if active.

Allen spent the week working with the team’s training staff on the side, failing to participate in practice for the third consecutive week. It’s appearing more and more likely that his season could be over with but one meaningless game remaining on the schedule after Week 17. The offense could be left in the hands of Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton, and Alex Erickson with Joshua Palmer (concussion) also out.

The fact that he was unable to practice in any capacity for the second straight day likely means Palmer is still experiencing headaches associated with the concussion he suffered in Week 16. Unless he is able to take the practice field on Friday it appears as if the Chargers will be without one of their top weapons against the Broncos.

Keenan Allen did not practice and looks unlikely to play in Week 17. If Palmer is also out, Jalen Guyton and Quentin Johnston would serve as the Chargers’ top receivers. Needless to say, this team is a fantasy wasteland as the season comes to a close.

With Keenan Allen missing his second straight game with a heel injury, it was Joshua Palmer again who stepped up as the clear top receiver, leading the team in targets and receiving yards. Most of the catches were open catches at the sticks, which meant no big plays, but Palmer was often the most reliable receiver for the Chargers. However, he dropped a crucial third down pass from Easton Stick in the fourth quarter what would have kept the drive alive. Instead, the Chargers had to settle for a field goal to cut the Bills’ lead to 21-16. With Los Angeles officially being eliminated from playoff contention with the loss, it remains to be seen whether they decide to bring Keenan Allen (heel) back this season. If he does miss more time, Palmer looks to be the only receiver you can really trust in this offense.

Active for the first time since Week 8 as he returned from a knee injury, Palmer was one of the only bright spots for the Chargers in a 63-21 loss, as one of his catches was a 79-yard touchdown to get the Bolts’ scoring started in the third quarter. They trailed 49-0 at the time. Palmer took advantage of a coverage mix-up after the safety failed to come over to support the cornerback. Auspicious. Also unlikely to be repeated in Week 16 against the Bills, where Palmer will be a weak WR4.

With the Chargers moving quarterback Justin Herbert to the IR with a fractured finger, they had a free roster spot and filled it by activating Palmer. With Quentin Johnston failing to take his opportunity and run with it, Palmer could return to be the number two receiver in Los Angeles. He had averaged 84 receiving yards per game from Week 3-7, but will find that total much harder to replicate with Easton Stick at quarterback. Still, his return is bad news for Johnston and Jalen Guyton, who will now fall further down the pecking order for targets. It will be hard to rely on any Chargers receiver with Herbert sidelined, sadly.

Looking to make his way back from injured reserve, Palmer was listed as limited ahead of last week’s game, so getting listed as a full participant to kick off this week is a good sign for his return. With Keenan Allen (heel) opening the week as a DNP, it’s possible Palmer’s return will carry even more weight if Allen is unable to go. Palmer isn’t a lock to be activated before Thursday’s game, but he’s trending in the right direction.