Is Keenan Allen Playing in Week 9? How Do Injuries Affect The Chargers Offense?

The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t had the season optimistic fans and analysts expected of them. A lot of what has ailed them comes down to an underwhelming passing game that has been slowed down by injuries.

The Chargers offense looks unstoppable on paper. In his third year, QB Justin Herbert entered the season as Vegas’ favorite to lead the league in passing yards. He would be throwing to receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, with Austin Ekeler coming out of the backfield and a new tight end in Gerald Everett.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, this lineup of weapons has not been on the field together. Keenan Allen hurt his hamstring in Week 1, left the game early, and missed Weeks 2 through 6. Justin Herbert took a brutal hit in Week 2 that fractured his rib cartilage. He soldiered through and didn’t miss any time, but he hasn’t looked the same. Now Mike Williams has a high ankle sprain that will cost him multiple weeks, and Allen has suffered a setback.

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Will Keenan Allen Play In Week 9?

It is looking more and more like Allen will miss Week 9, too. He did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

The 30-year-old returned to the field in Week 7 but only played 23 snaps against the Seahawks and caught two passes for 11 yards. He was supposed to be able to make a full recovery during the Chargers’ Week 8 bye, but that’s not what happened. Allen’s progress went backward.

He said, “Taking my time with it and just going through it how we planned it and just through the bye week, kind of hit it again.”

Allen also said that he doesn’t plan to take the field for a game again until he is 100% healthy. He does not want to be held to a snap count, and it sounds like he does not want to risk this injury becoming a long-term hindrance—which makes sense for a ten-year veteran who has played over 6,800 snaps.

Given that he was on a snap count in Week 7 and that his injury has gotten worse since then, the assumption should be that he probably won’t play Week 9.

How Will The Chargers Offense Look Without Allen?

The Chargers have been an above-average offense, while missing Allen most of the season, but far from as elite as expected. They rank No. 11 in scoring offense and No. 4 in passing offense while throwing the ball more than any other team in the league.

Herbert is sixth in the league in passing yards, but his efficiency is down. He is only gaining 6.5 yards per attempt. His numbers could be better with Allen healthy. In his career, he has averaged 10 more yards in games Allen has played.

The injury to Mike Williams will hurt the Chargers even more. The Chargers will be without both of their top two WRs in Week 9. The good news is that No. 3 WR Josh Palmer (concussion) is trending in the right direction.

Who Should I Start On The Chargers?

With Mike Williams definitely out and Keenan Allen appearing unlikely to play, there will be more passes going to WRs Josh Palmer (if he clears concussion protocol) and DeAndre Carter. Each of them has had two 50+ yard games this season. Palmer hit 99 yards on six catches in Week 3. Gerald Everett is an excellent start at tight end.

As for Justin Herbert, he’ll still throw the ball often enough and complete enough passes to have a middling lineup-filling game for fantasy managers. He’s not going to hurt you at QB like Malik Willis or some other fringe QB might. But if you are in a one-QB league where most teams only roster one QB, then it may be worthwhile to start a streamer. Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota, and Andy Dalton are considerations.

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