Will

Dissly

The Chargers somehow found space for three Will Dissly targets (3/28/0) before getting Gadsden involved. Wouldn’t be our game plan, but it worked. Gadsden has been hard to trust down the stretch and will probably be more of a TE2 against the Texans in Week 17.

Still’s absence boosts the individual matchup of the Pittsburgh tight end cadre, although his undersized stature was already a mismatch for the towering tight ends of the Steelers. Rookie Lambert-Smith has been in and out of the game-day roster throughout the season and does not create any meaningful fantasy changes.

Dissly’s potential absence is hardly a needle-mover, though it would reinforce breakout rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II’s snap share. Chargers RG Mekhi Becton (knee) is questionable to play. His potential absence would likely be a bigger deal, though the Titans are not at all expected to pose serious problems for Los Angeles with Titans DT Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) and OLB Arden Key (quadriceps) ruled out.

Dissly does not look particularly likely to play in Week 9, not that it deeply matters in fantasy football since Oronde Gadsden II has completed a takeover of the position for the Chargers.

The Chargers are also getting RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) back this evening. This is great news for QB Justin Herbert as he prepares to face the Vikings’ top-tier blitz-based defensive scheme. The Chargers declared RB Hassan Haskins, CB Nikko Reed, OLB Kyle Kennard, OL Jamaree Salyer, OT Austin Deculus, WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith and TE Will Dissly inactive for Week 8 against the Vikings. With Haskins out, the Chargers have elevated RBs Nyheim Hines and Jaret Patterson from the practice squad.

Oronde Gadsden II, meanwhile, had seven receptions for 68 yards on eight targets against Miami. Gadsden appears to have taken over the primary pass-catching tight end role in Greg Roman’s offense. Dissly can be left on the waiver wire for now.

He was on the questionable line and practiced in full on Friday, so this is a fairly surprising inactive listing. Oronde Gadsden II should benefit from additional snaps and is a worthwhile pivot for those in deeper leagues relying on Dissly. Also inactive for the Chargers are: WR Derius Davis (Knee), S RJ Mickens, CB Nikko Reed, OLB Kyle Kennard, OT Joe Alt (ankle), and DT Naquan Jones.

Dissly practiced in full on Friday after a couple of limited sessions. His (anticipated) return will likely cut into Oronde Gadsden Jr.'s upside as a stream play at tight end.

Dissly is seemingly on track to return for the Chargers’ Week 5 game against the Commanders, but his continued limitations suggest he still has a little way to go before he is at full strength. In the meantime, rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II took over as the Chargers’ positional leader in Week 4, though he caught just 2-of-3 targets for 16 yards. Dissly’s return could muddy the situation.

Dissly has missed the last two weeks due to a knee issue. He starts out Week 5 practicing, putting him on track to return against the Commanders this week, or against the Dolphins next week. Dissly’s absence has led to an uptick in opportunities for Oronde Gadsden, but a potential Dissly return would decrease those looks for Gadsden.