Chargers WR Brenen Thompson (hip) limited again

The speedy rookie injured his hip on August 20th in the Chargers’ preseason game against the 49ers. Although he is stuck in the No. 4 spot on the depth chart, it was an encouraging preseason showing prior to the injury. Thompson was in for all three first-team reps and continued playing with the second team for a while before exiting. He does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues, but can be stashed in 14-team leagues.

Thompson tweaked his hip in preseason play back on August 20th. A limited session on Wednesday puts him on track to play in Week 1 against the Cardinals, potentially as the team’s WR4 and a special teams contributor.

Thompson took first- and second-team reps in last Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers. Chargers’ Nos. 2 and 3 WRs Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris were held out with what are believed to be minor injuries. Thompson eventually checked out of the game and entered the blue medical tent before being taken back to the locker room. He sported a yellow jersey today, which ESPN’s Kris Rhim dubbed the “working through something” jersey. He was likely a limited participant today. Thompson could be anything from a mid-to-late-season FLEX option to a part-time player stuck in a fantasy-unfriendly role. Keep an eye on his development and recovery.

Thompson stopped by the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room. This is a bummer. The speedy wide receiver played all three first-team reps with QB Justin Herbert. Herbert hung up his cleats for the night after that drive, but Thompson remained on the field, earning two targets from QB Trey Lance. The first yielded a seven-yard gain on a comeback route. The second was thrown 50-plus yards downfield. Thompson dove for it, but a defender likely got away with a DPI no-call, and Lance slightly overthrew the pass anyway. Hopefully, Thompson is only dealing with a minor injury and can continue his encouraging development soon. Chargers WRs Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris appear to be inactive.

Through two training camp practices, Thompson has been making plays when given opportunities with the first-team offense. On Wednesday, Chargers QB Justin Herbert told reporters that Thompson is “going to be very good” and “make a lot of plays.” In a piece published Thursday morning, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reported that Thompson will be battling for snaps with WR Tre’ Harris, “who is also off to a great start.” Harris (6'3/210) can contribute as a receiver and as a blocker. While Thompson boasts 4.26-second 40 speed, at 5'9/164, it will be tough for him to bully defensive backs in the run game. Still, this is good news for dynasty and best ball managers who have taken late-round fliers on Thompson thus far.

It will be very hard for Thompson to return fantasy value, but he sure is fun. When the Chargers drafted Thompson, OC Mike McDaniel hopped on the phone to tell Thompson that he is “going to do elite stuff” in the NFL. Thompson (5'9/164) clocked a 4.26-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, and GM Joe Hortiz compared Thompson’s size, height and speed combination to WRs Tyreek Hill and DeSean Jackson. Chargers WRs Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston appear to hold the Nos. 1 and 2 spots on the depth chart, and the team likes WR Tre’ Harris’ blocking abilities. Keep an eye on Thompson in training camp, but note that it is very hard for rotational players — assuming he earns a rotational role — to contribute in fantasy.

It’s hard to know exactly what to make of Thompson as a fourth-round pick and a track burner (4.26 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine) — two things that have a high bust rate — in dynasty circles. What we do know is that the general manager dropped these two comparisons on Thompson, that OC Mike McDaniel “told Hortiz he would take his shirt off if the team found a way to land Thompson,” and that Tre’ Harris and Derius Davis haven’t exactly established themselves as NFL stars yet. It’s certainly plausible that Thompson is fantasy-interesting in his rookie year.

What you see is what you get with Thompson. If you guessed that the 5’9/164 receiver with 4.26 wheels was a one-trick deep threat, you’d be right. Thompson spent three years at Texas and Oklahoma as a backup before finding a starting role at Mississippi State for his senior season. He went for 1,054 yards and six scores on 57 grabs. Thompson also picked up a rushing touchdown on one of his four carries. He finished fifth among Power Four wideouts in receiving yards on targets 20 or more yards downfield (478). That is about the extent of Thompson’s game. He saw just three screens in 2025 and has one career punt return. Both size and versatility limitations have the deck stacked against Thompson in the pros. The lack of designed touches is also a notable concern. Thompson will likely top out as a Travis Benjamin or J.J. Nelson type in the pros.