Palmer: Tua to back up Penix in Week 3

According to Florio, Gase “is expected to take over if McDaniel is fired.” The Chargers go on bye in Week 7, so this is the best time to install a new offense if they really intend to do so. Gase previously served as head coach of the Jets and Dolphins, though those stints are hardly reassuring. His offenses have frequently fallen short of expectations. The 0-6 Chargers are searching for answers, though, and the McDaniel-Justin Herbert pairing does not seem to be working out.

Adams appeared to injure his left knee while running a route in the red zone on the Rams’ final possession. He cut, turned upfield and quickly began limping his way to the back of the end zone, removing himself from the play while grabbing at the inside of his left knee. He subbed himself out after that. No word on his status, but we expect an update soon. Prior to that, the Cardinals’ pass rush made life tough on the Rams’ passing attack. Adams caught his first pass a minute and a half into the second quarter. Stafford was looking his way in the end zone later on the same drive, but Josh Sweat got to him for the strip-sack. Adams banked 16-yard receptions on the sixth and seventh drives, impressively getting wide open via a downfield out route on the second one. If Adams escaped with a minor injury, he would be a WR2 against the Raiders next week.

The Chiefs used more two tight end sets with Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton sidelined. Gray ran a route on around half of KC’s drop backs and matched Travis Kelce with 53 yards. If Kelce struggles to play through the ankle injury he picked up against the Bolts, Gray could step in as the team’s TE1 in Week 7 against the Seahawks.

Rashee Rice’s absence didn’t translate into more playing time for Allen, who logged a mere five pass routes against the Chargers. He can remain on waiver wires until his playing time increases, which is unlikely if Rice is able to return in the coming weeks.

Washington’s nine carries were only one fewer than the 10 Ashton Jeanty saw on the night, but Washington was by far the more productive back. The rookie fourth-rounder averaged a solid 4.8 YPC in this one and ripped off an 18-yard run in the fourth quarter on a drive that ended with a Tre Tucker touchdown. Jeanty is dealing with a foot/ankle injury that is clearly limiting him on the field. Washington should continue to spell Jeanty in Week 7 against the Rams, but he doesn’t have much to offer fantasy managers as far as reliable production is concerned. He continues to be nothing more than a stash as long as Jeanty is active and on the field.

The Cardinals’ pass rush derailed the Rams’ offensive game plan early on, and Nacua was held without a target until just under 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Heartbreak struck on the Rams’ sixth drive. Nacua shook his coverage defender on a hitch-and-go and had no one between him and the end zone. Matthew Stafford let it rip, but was hit during the throw. Nacua dove for what should have been a walk-off 65-yard touchdown, but the pass fell incomplete. Nacua had another close call late in the game, dragging a defender for half of his downfield route, on what was ultimately flagged for DPI, but the defender’s unscrupulous tactic prevented Nacua from hauling in a 45-yarder at the Cardinals’ 10-yard line. Fortunately, Nacua and Stafford linked up for 42- and 16-yard gains on their lone touchdown-scoring drive at the end of the game, salvaging Nacua’s box score. He’s an elite WR1 against the Raiders next week.

It was another Ken Walker explosion game (128 yards, two touchdowns on the ground) with Johnson serving as the breather back. Johnson should be rostered as a high-upside contingency option in case Walker misses any time in the coming weeks or months.

After missing Week 5’s game against the Patriots due to a concussion, Nailor was back on the field this week to face the Bills. Unfortunately for the 2026 free-agent signee, the results looked all too familiar. Nailor managed only one reception for nine yards and is now sitting on a 6-61-0 receiving line through his first five games of the season. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be counting on him to provide anything in next week’s game against the Rams.

The Chiefs, with Rashee Rice (hamstring) sidelined, made every effort to force feed Worthy near the line of scrimmage in this one. That resulted in Worthy leading the KC offense in both targets and receiving yards, with a long reception of 19 yards. Most of his Week 6 touches were of the gadget variety. Increased usage should give Worthy a sturdy PPR floor for now. He should be considered a flex play next week against the tough Seattle secondary.

The Cardinals’ pass rush was disruptive, hitting Stafford seven times and sacking him twice. Stafford lost a fumble on a two-point conversion, but the box score only shows a failed two-point try, evidently saving fantasy managers two fantasy points. Stafford later fumbled after getting spooked by a pass-rushing ghost. A Rams lineman recovered it, but it derailed an otherwise effective, tempo-based drive. Stafford nearly hit Nacua for a wide-open 65-yard touchdown at one point, but a QB hit altered Stafford’s trajectory and the pass fell incomplete. Nacua almost hauled in a diving 45-yard catch later on, but blatant DPI prevented it. Stafford engineered a touchdown drive at the tail end of the game, connecting with Nacua on a 42-yarder and a 16-yarder, before Colby Parkinson barreled into the end zone for the score. Stafford should return to the QB1 tier against the Raiders in Week 7.