Marquez

Valdes-Scantling

Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring), Brenen Thompson (quad), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (rib) were all limited Wednesday. Lambert-Smith currently has his practice window for return from IR open while the others are dealing with a varying level of ailments. Johnston is the best fantasy option out of this group, but he is only worth FLEX consideration in the deepest of leagues. With Ladd McConkey (foot) also limited, the Chargers have several “maybes” ahead of a Week 6 matchup against the Chiefs.

Valdes-Scantling finished second in receiving yards for the Chargers against the Broncos. That’s not great. The veteran wideout is going to get some opportunities because of the injuries, but that shouldn’t equate to a chance to help a fantasy roster. He’ll face the Chiefs in Week 6.

Valdes-Scantling worked out with the Chargers earlier Tuesday and now signs with the team’s practice squad. The 31-year-old spent the offseason with the Cowboys and has been a journeyman since his first four seasons with the Packers, also spending time with the Chiefs, Bills, Saints, 49ers, and Steelers over his career. The Chargers add Valdes-Scantling as depth with Ladd McConkey dealing with a rib injury and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) heading to injured reserve.

He was cut by the Cowboys at the end of training camp and has been looking for his next opportunity. Valdes-Scantling’s appearance here probably doesn’t bode overly well for Ladd McConkey’s status for Week 2, though obviously that’s just trying to read the tea leaves.

Valdes-Scantling signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys this offseason. He barely garnered more than the veteran minimum and was clearly nothing more than a depth option for the team. With well over 100 career games across six teams to his name, MVS should still find a team willing to carry him on their practice squad in the coming days.

Valdes-Scantling has logged only 78 special teams snaps in his career, with 49 of them coming in his 2018 rookie season. Schottenheimer said that Valdes-Scantling has the “speed to be a gunner,” so it sounds like he will not be returning punts and kicks. Don’t count on any return touchdowns appearing in his box score. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris adds that Valdes-Scantling caught two passes and dropped one on Tuesday. His hands have always been an issue. While he will help out QB Dak Prescott with a few big plays this season, Valdes-Scantling is unlikely to be a reliable fantasy contributor in his age-31 season.

The deal includes a $187,500 signing bonus and appears to simply be a depth move. MVS spent time with the 49ers and Steelers last season, catching 14 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. The veteran speedster has bounced around to four different teams since parting ways with the Chiefs after the 2023 season and hasn’t caught more than 17 passes at any of his stops. He’ll likely be battling to earn a roster spot in camp and carries little fantasy value.

Following Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh after a cacophony of whispers in Mike Tomlin’s ears and a failed second-year leap from Roman Wilson, Valdes-Scantling’s season ends with just 14 catches for 120 yards and one touchdown in split time between the 49ers and Steelers. It is difficult to imagine him sticking on an NFL roster with Rodgers expected to retire considering a myriad of mental errors on the field in 2025, regardless of his blocking ability or veteran status.

Scantling was wide open for what would have been a 30-plus yard gain, but Aaron Rodgers overthrew the pass. The wideout was able to haul in a decent amount of targets, but the yardage leaves a lot to be desired. MVS will be a secondary option at best for the Wild Card Round bout against the Texans.

Four of Valdes-Scantling’s targets came on the Steelers’ final two drives of the game. Aaron Rodgers went to MVS on three-straight tries in the end zone in hopes of securing a game-tying touchdown, but the veteran receiver was unable to make the most of his opportunities. MVS will get another chance to step up for the Steelers with DK Metcalf set to serve his second game of a two-game suspension next week, but he remains a feast-or-famine player even in an expanded role. There’s not much to get excited about here ahead of Week 18’s game against the Ravens.