Harbaugh explained in a press conference why the team held McConkey back on Monday. It turns out the head coach considered playing his wideout; however, Harbaugh noted that his receiver was only available in an emergency scenario.

McConkey suffered a foot injury before Week 4. He also dealt with another setback earlier in the year, hurting his ribs during the Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Now, the Chargers will await his return and hope he gets back to his best level.

Herbert struggles in McConkey’s absence

Quarterback Justin Herbert and the passing game struggled without McConkey on the field. Herbert finished 14 of 24 for 121 yards and threw just one touchdown. He was also intercepted once, with Brandon Jones picking him off during the contest, as both players generated different dynamics for the opposing defensive line.

Los Angeles briefly erased a 10-3 halftime deficit by outscoring the Broncos 13-0 during the third quarter. However, Denver forced the Chargers to fall apart from there, putting together a 14-0 fourth-quarter run to claim the victory.

Now, the Chargers must avoid a stunning 0-6 start. The Bolts went 1-15 overall in 2000, the last time they opened a season with that mark. It is a tough position, and it remains to be seen how the team can rebound, execute, and stay healthy moving forward.

The offensive situation

Justin Herbert produced enough early to give his team a fourth-quarter lead against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, then helped squander its best chance at a first win in the 2026 NFL season. His late fumble and interception sealed a 23-17 defeat, dropped the Chargers to 0-5, and intensified concern that his mistakes will define this season.

The final numbers did not fully capture the swing in the fourth quarter: the Chargers held a seven-point lead before their offense posted a turnover on downs, a lost fumble, and an interception on consecutive late opportunities to regain control.

Key takeaways

• Jim Harbaugh revealed Ladd McConkey was only available in an emergency scenario.
• A foot injury suffered prior to Week 4 kept Ladd McConkey sidelined.
• 14 of 24 passes for 121 yards were completed by Justin Herbert without McConkey.

“It was good enough to win, but there’s still a number of things that we’ve got to improve on,” Payton said during his press conference. It is clear that, for the experienced coach, achieving better results means doubling down on the effort on the gridiron.

Bo Nix also called for improvement despite the victory over the Bolts. Clearly, there is something within the Broncos organization that still does not fully satisfy them, despite the positive results.

Where can the Broncos improve?

A win is a win, but the Broncos’ Week 5 performance exposed a few glaring weaknesses that could haunt them against tougher opposition. Third-down conversion was abysmal, as Denver converted just 1 of its 12 third downs (8%) and managed only 3.9 yards per play overall. The passing attack remains extremely limited, with Bo Nix throwing for just 123 yards and averaging a meager 4.6 yards per pass attempt.

Additionally, red zone efficiency left plenty of points on the field—despite having five red zone possessions, Denver managed only two touchdowns and had to settle for three Wil Lutz field goals. If the defense hadn’t forced three late Chargers turnovers, these offensive lulls would have led to a division loss.

Broncos’ upcoming games

The Broncos stay on a short week to wrap up a quick homestand before heading out on the road. First, they host the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 6 (October 15).

Next, they travel to Glendale to take on the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Week 7 (October 25). Finally, they return home to Mile High for a crucial AFC West divisional showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 (November 1).

Key takeaways

• Sean Payton noted the Denver Broncos must improve despite defeating the Los Angeles Chargers.
• The Denver Broncos converted just 1 of 12 third downs against the Los Angeles Chargers.
• The Denver Broncos will host the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 6.

Nix reflected on his performance after the game, per reporter Zac Stevens. Comparing this week’s display to other games, the star quarterback definitely was not happy with how things turned out for him as a passer. “Eh, I don’t think it was the best,” Nix said.

Nix is going through the third season of his NFL career with the Broncos. He enjoyed an incredible high after leading Denver to the AFC Championship Game before going down with an injury. He looks to pick up where he left off as he leads the Broncos to another year of serious playoff contention.

Bo Nix’s performance vs Chargers

Bo Nix and the Broncos squeezed out a win over a Chargers squad that was winless going into the game. They certainly fended off a valiant effort from the hosts, even though the win was not pretty—a victory that speaks worse about the Chargers than it reflects well on the Broncos.

Los Angeles had the momentum for most of the day as it yearned for its first victory of the year, leading 17-10 going into the fourth quarter. This did not stop Denver from making a rally, scoring the last 13 points of the game in the last 15 minutes of regulation.

Nix completed 16 of his 27 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 10 yards on four carries in a 23-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5, a performance that fails to stand out if he aims to be among the best in the NFL.

J.K. Dobbins led the run game against the Chargers with 18 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes for six yards. Evan Engram led receivers with four catches for 55 yards, while Courtland Sutton caught two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Key takeaways

• An 0-5 record leaves the Los Angeles Chargers winless following a Week 5 loss.
• “Eh, I don’t think it was the best,” stated Bo Nix regarding his performance.
• 16 of 27 passes were completed by Bo Nix for 123 yards in Week 5.

“WR Mike Evans (ribs) officially active,” Mike Garafolo reported on X ahead of San Francisco’s home game against Denver in Week 4 of the NFL campaign.

Evans was dealing with a rib injury sustained last week during San Francisco’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. Evans exited the game on a cart, sending fear through Niners fans. Fortunately, Evans’ injury update after his exit against the Cardinals avoided a worst-case scenario, but he may be a little bit rusty in Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season against the Broncos. Time will tell.

Evans keeps his promise

According to Rapoport, Evans admitted “he’ll do his best to be out there,” at Levi’s Stadium in Week 4 against Denver. That’s encouraging for fans and exactly the kind of message Shanahan and the rest of the team wanted to hear from their veteran wideout. However, there’s also a fine line between being brave and resilient and rushing one’s way back onto the gridiron.

Indeed, Evans has had trouble staying healthy in San Francisco, but it’s also only Week 4. There is a long year ahead, and the Niners would rather miss Evans early on than have him risk an even worse setback. Plus, the offense has been firing on all cylinders as of late, riding on the shoulders of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle.

The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, so having Evans available would help, but if he isn’t fully healthy, there might be more to lose than to gain for the 49ers. In the end, Evans is active against Denver, so it seems the medical staff have seen enough out of him to give the green light.

Evans’ stats in 2026

So far this season, Evans has appeared in three games but only completed two of them. Operating in a new offense and surroundings, Evans has already proven his reliability to Purdy, catching 12 of 16 targets for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Key takeaways

• Officially active for Week 4 despite a rib injury.
• Ian Rapoport reported a pregame workout tested Evans’ pain tolerance.
• Has caught 12 of 16 targets for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Initially listed as doubtful on the official list, Nacua is inactive for Sunday’s game in Denver. A hip injury kept him out of the Week 2 win over the New York Giants, but his latest setback is a groin injury.

The decision to rule him out stems from a choice not to risk Nacua’s health, aiming to have him ready for NFL Week 4. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that there is a real possibility Nacua could suit up next week for a big game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rams prioritize long-term health to protect offense

The Denver Broncos are a tough opponent, as are the Eagles next week. The best thing would be for Nacua to get more rest and be fully ready for the bulk of the season and the playoffs. Luckily, the Rams have Davante Adams looking like he is still in his prime, and he will be the Rams’ top target this week.

Nacua has been listed as a non-participant on each of the Rams’ last five injury reports as he deals with a hip injury that head coach Sean McVay has termed “soreness in his groin” that is unrelated to the psoas discomfort that he dealt with in training camp.

Fellow WR Davante Adams will again have unfettered access to targets from QB Matthew Stafford, with Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, and Xavier Smith as the others available at the position.

The Rams continue to deal with that sensitive injury, in addition to remaining without Myles Garrett. Holding a 1-1 record, they will look to secure a major result against a tough Broncos team led by Bo Nix.

Key takeaways

• Puka Nacua is inactive for Sunday Night Football against Denver.
• A groin injury was cited as the primary physical setback.
• Week 4 against Philadelphia is targeted as a potential return timeline.

The Broncos enter Week 3 at 1-1 after a 31-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but they answered with a 20-13 comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They scored 17 unanswered points in the second half and showed much better balance on both sides of the ball.

The Rams also sit at 1-1. They beat San Francisco in Week 1 before falling 28-6 to the New York Giants in Week 2. However, the Rams are likely to be without Puka Nacua for a second straight week, and Myles Garrett also remains on injured reserve.

Even so, both teams maintain their starting quarterbacks without concern, featuring Matthew Stafford for the Rams, with Stetson Bennett as his backup, and Bo Nix leading the Broncos with Jarrett Stidham on the bench. Sam Ehlinger is third on the Broncos’ QB depth chart while Ty Simpson occupies that role in the Rams QB room.

The concern for the Broncos

Bo Nix’s two sides have been noted. He struggled badly against Kansas City, but bounced back with 288 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Jacksonville. Nix has 419 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions this NFL season, which means they need consistency against the Rams.

However, they have managed to identify the lethal weapons to inflict damage alongside Nix. Jaylen Waddle has quickly become one of Nix’s biggest weapons. He leads Denver with nine catches for 140 yards, including a 49-yard reception against Jacksonville, a resource that will surely be featured heavily.

Stafford seeking his best level

Matthew Stafford bounced back last week against the Giants, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Whichever team is able to get pressure on the opposing quarterback will have the advantage. Stafford’s numbers dip under pressure, but Nix under pressure turns into the worst quarterback in the NFL, something the Rams will surely seek to achieve.

However, the Rams still face uncertainty regarding whether Puka Nacua will be present, as he continues to deal with an injury sustained in Week 1. One of the best weapons Stafford had at his disposal remains a question mark, but confidence exists in Davante Adams, Xavier Smith, Jordan Whittington, or Konata Mumpfield.

Key takeaways

• Bo Nix is QB1 for Denver, with Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger backing up.
• Matthew Stafford starts as QB1 for the Rams depth chart against Denver.
• Stetson Bennett IV is listed as QB2 for Los Angeles over Ty Simpson.

Garrett’s absence is a significant setback for the Rams, who rely heavily on his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks and disrupt offenses. His injury comes early in the season and that provides some margin ahead of a possible playoff run.

The defensive end is expected to miss multiple weeks, meaning the Rams will have to adjust their pass rush while he recovers. With Garrett unavailable, a great update for LA is that Aaron Donald is ready to go after his debut in a win over the New York Giants.

When will Myles Garrett play again?

Myles Garrett will be out at least four games after being placed on injured reserve following his knee injury. The designation means he cannot return until he has missed the required number of games, leaving the Rams without their defensive star for an extended period.

The initial recovery timeline remains uncertain, but reports indicate that Garrett could miss approximately six weeks. The Rams have not provided a definitive return date, and his availability will ultimately depend on how his recovery progresses.

Garrett’s earliest possible return would come after serving the mandatory injured reserve period, although that does not guarantee he will be ready to play immediately. November 1 in Week 8 against the Chargers could be a realistic date for his long awaited comeback.

Key takeaways

• Myles Garrett won’t play for Rams against Broncos.
• Garrett was placed on injured reserve. He’ll miss at least four weeks.
• Good update for Rams is the presence of Aaron Donald.

After being ruled doubtful for Sunday’s matchup in Denver, McVay claimed that he thinks Nacua could return by Week 4 for the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The four-year veteran still needs more time to recover, but Los Angeles does not appear to be discussing a trip to injured reserve for now. “Sean McVay believes that, barring a setback, Puka Nacua could return next week vs. the Eagles,” Schefter reported.

ESPN’s Sarah Barshop broke the news that the two-time Pro Bowler missed Friday’s practice, which led to his doubtful ruling for Sunday. That leaves Matthew Stafford throwing to Davante Adams as his No. 1 wide receiver for at least one more week. “Puka Nacua will not practice and will be listed as doubtful for the game against the Broncos,” Barshop reported.

What happened to Puka Nacua?

The Rams star sustained the injury during a Thursday practice heading into the Week 2 matchup against the Giants. The team quickly ruled him out for that game, and the injury has lasted longer than the club had hoped. The good news is that L.A. has not considered placing him on IR.

Whenever Puka Nacua does return from injury, he will aim to bounce back from his cold performance in the season opener. In his one game of action this year, Nacua recorded five receptions for 74 yards off nine targets.

While McVay reassured reporters that there is no structural concern or risk of a long-term absence, the decision to hold him back highlights the team’s commitment to ensuring he returns at 100% rather than risking a lingering soft-tissue aggravation.

Nacua’s replacement

Matthew Stafford and the Rams are trending toward not having Puka Nacua for a second week in a row. However, Nacua’s replacement, Jordan Whittington, is expected to be back in Week 3 of the NFL season against the Broncos.

Moreover, Stafford figures to have his top tight end, Colby Parkinson. That does not negate the potential loss of Nacua or safety Kam Kinchens, but it helps. “Rams WR Jordan Whittington (quad) will be back this week, Sean McVay said, while TE Colby Parkinson will go through today’s jog-through and is ‘trending in the right direction,'” LA Daily News reporter Adam Grosbard posted on X on September 25, adding, “S Kam Kinchens will be doubtful for Sunday.”

Cooper is currently sidelined on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List following two arrests this summer related to domestic disputes. His status will remain on hold as his legal situation unfolds.

Jonathon Cooper is an important player for the Denver Broncos as a productive edge rusher. The team clearly missed him in Week 1 against the Chiefs, where the pass rush wasn’t as effective.

Cooper was instrumental for the Broncos in 2025

Opposite Nik Bonitto, Cooper had 8.0 sacks, second-best on the Broncos. Hence, without him the Broncos are really missing a force in the defensive line. Against a team like the Jaguars, they need to put pressure on them.

However, due to being in the Exempt list, he cannot even practice. It’s still not clear when Cooper will be back until the legal issues clear out. After that, the NFL can still punish him.

The Broncos must put pressure on Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence is coming off a highly efficient Week 1 performance and has noted seeing how to counter early pressure looks. Denver’s defense must get off the field on third down, an area where Jacksonville excelled previously.

If Lawrence has time to throw, he can decimate secondaries with his accuracy and the plethora of weapons the Jags have at their disposal. Hence, it will be key to make him feel uncomfortable if the Broncos want to win.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, it looks like Harvey is not suiting up. “Broncos RB R.J. Harvey, listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars due to a hamstring injury, is unlikely to play, per source,” Schefter said.

Harvey is predominantly the third-down, pass-catching back of the Broncos. When initially drafted, Harvey was expected to be an absolute workhorse, but he wasn’t able to convince head coach Sean Payton to be an all-snap back.

How did RJ Harvey do in Week 1?

Harvey had three rushing attempts for 18 yards in Week 1 against the Chiefs but the script didn’t favor the running backs. However, he co-led the Broncos with four receptions on four targets for 23 yards.

He ended Week 1 as the third-most productive Broncos player vs Chiefs. Harvey had 41 total yards. Hence, it wasn’t the best performance, but he still was one of the best players for Denver.

Broncos RB depth chart vs Jaguars

JK Dobbins will get the most snaps as the starting running back for the Broncos against the Jaguars. Without Harvey, rookie Jonah Coleman will step into the RB2 role.

Stepping in as the No.3 running back, the veteran Tyler Badie will be available but fully expect him to be involved in pass-blocking duties. He shouldn’t be getting snaps over Dobbins or Coleman.

Speaking with reporters following the game, Walker made sure to credit his teammates. “It means a lot, but first off, you have to give credit to the offensive line – they did a great job tonight of making mine and Emmett’s (Johnson) job much easier to go out there and run the ball,” Walker said. “Tight ends and our receivers as well. It means a lot. We have to keep stacking everything that we’ve started.”

“It means a lot. It means they trust me. It’s good to feel that way,” Walker added. “When we first came out, we got the fourth down, and we still ran the ball – they trust the run game and trust what we can do; we just want to keep stacking on that.”

Walker’s performance

Walker expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity to serve as an all-around back — capable of playing in any game situation — while logging 26 touches in his Chiefs debut. He specifically sought this role during free agency after sharing backfield duties during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP finished with an impressive 173 rushing yards on 23 carries and a touchdown, while adding three receptions for 18 yards and another score. Additionally, he formed a key duo with Patrick Mahomes, who showed complete trust in him.

To put it in perspective, Walker III accumulated more rushing yards than any other player in Week 1. For Walker, the performance surpassed everything he achieved during his four years with the Seahawks. His previous career high dated back to his rookie season, when he ran for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-23 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Now that Walker is reaching new heights with the Chiefs, it leaves open the question of whether the Seahawks made a mistake by not bringing him back after he won the Super Bowl MVP award for the 2026 NFL season.