Joshua

Palmer

Palmer had been ruled out earlier in the week, leaving the biggest surprise tight end Hayden Hurst. Hurst began the season as the lead tight end before suffering injuries that forced him to miss eight of the team’s final 13 games. Will Dissly took over as the primary tight end in Hurst’s absence and never relinquished the role, backed up by both Tucker Fisk and Stone Smartt.

Palmer missed Week 18’s game against the Raiders with the same injury and could not get on the practice field this week. Palmer has caught 39 passes for 584 yards and one touchdown this season, and will now look to get right for the divisional round should the Chargers advance past the Texans on Saturday.

The Chargers’ wide receiver corps is fairly banged up at this point and Palmer’s total inability to practice thus far this week makes him the least likely to suit up on Saturday. It could come down to a game-time decision but his Thursday availability should give us an idea of his status.

Palmer has not practiced since hurting the heel in Week 17. His absence led to season-high yardage total for Quentin Johnston last week against the Raiders. Harbaugh said following that Week 17 game that the absence would not require an IR stint, but Palmer sure doesn’t look likely to play against the Texans in the Wild Card Round based on this news.

Palmer was completely unable to practice this week so his early deactivation is unsurprising. The fourth-year wide receiver has settled into a supporting role and rarely contributes meaningful fantasy point sums. His absence does helpfully increase Ladd McConkey’s potential target volume though.

Palmer has been a no-go for the first two practice sessions while dealing with his foot/heel injury. The man they call Big Palm seems to be on the wrong side of the questionable tag ahead of Week 18 against the Raiders in a game that only has (relatively) minor implications for Los Angeles.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday he does not believe the foot issue will land Palmer on injured reserve. The fact that it is even an option suggests Palmer won’t play this week. His availability for LA’s Wild Card game is also in question. Quentin Johnson should see an uptick in targets with less competition for the WR2 role in Week 18.

Palmer was spotted in a boot after Week 17’s win over the Patriots. The Chargers will likely be conservative and hold Palmer out for Week 18 regardless of whether they have a shot at the 4 seed, but it’s certainly possible he isn’t ready for the Wild Card round.

Palmer was used effectively on crossing routes and got a few third down looks as a key chain mover over the middle of the field. He was third on the team in targets, tallies 41 yards on four catches. Palmer sets up as the team’s WR3 heading into the playoffs, but will be a fantasy WR5 for Week 18 against the Raiders.

Palmer tied with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston with those six targets, but he and Justin Herbert just missed on a few plays down the field. They didn’t miss on a two-point conversion where Palmer batted the ball to himself with one hand before getting both toes down for a spectacular conversion. Palmer will be a desperation play in the Chargers’ offense for the remainder of the year, with his next chance for success coming in Week 17 against the Patriots.