The Chargers are getting some good news for a change. The team is expected to have receiver Keenan Allen back at practice this week after he missed the previous two games with a hamstring injury, according to ESPN. Los Angeles dropped its last two games with their five-time Pro Bowl wideout on the sideline.
Allen missed an entire week of practice after sustaining the injury during the Chargers' season-opening win over the Raiders. He was a limited practice participant during the Chargers' first two practices last week before being held out of the team's final practice. Allen was labeled as questionable entering Sunday's loss to Jacksonville before being placed on the team's inactive list.
Allen's return would provide a much-needed boost for a Chargers offense that recently lost starting left tackle Rashawn Slater and receiver Jalen Guyton to season-ending injuries. The Chargers are also dealing with Justin Herbert's injured ribs, which he sustained during the team's Week 2 loss in Kansas City. Despite the injury, Herbert played this past weekend, throwing for 297 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 25 of 45 passing.
Fantasy impact
How confident should you be in Allen and the banged-up Chargers? Here's how CBS Sports Senior Fantasy Writer Dave Richard sizes things up.
"Allen's return will give the Chargers offense some much-needed stability in the passing game, especially in the wake of left tackle Rashawn Slater's injury," Richard said. "The Chargers have allowed a quarterback pressure on 40.2% of his dropbacks -- only the Giants and Bears have allowed more. Allen can be a fantastic short-area target for Herbert to lean on when he's facing heat, plus he's always good at finding space and picking up chunks of yardage.
"I wouldn't hesitate to use him in lineups as soon as he's ready to play. As far as other Chargers, Mike Williams remains a boom-or-bust WR2, while tight end Gerald Everett and wideout Josh Palmer are unlikely to be consistent starters."
With Allen sidelined, the Chargers have leaned more on backup wideouts Palmer and DeAndre Carter. Palmer is currently second on the team with 13 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. Carter has caught 9 passes and a touchdown this season and is currently tied for second on the team with 150 receiving yards. Running back Austin Ekeler, who has just 32 carries through three games, has been used more as a receiver with Allen out of the lineup. Ekeler has 21 catches this season, eight more than the team's second-leading receiver.
Los Angeles will try to get back to .500 this weekend against the Texans, who are 0-2-1 after dropping a 23-20 decision to the Bears.
