Two losses have left the Los Angeles Chargers searching for answers. Now they head to Buffalo with six players ruled out, including three whose absences could make life harder for Justin Herbert.

The injury report looks crowded, but for fantasy football purposes, the bigger issue is whether Los Angeles can get its offense moving against a 2–0 Bills team.

Kayode Awosika, Charlie Kolar, Elijah Molden, Trey Pipkins III, Brenen Thompson, and Dalvin Tomlinson are OUT for Sunday. Cornerback Rodney Shelley and backup quarterback Trey Lance are questionable. The encouraging news is that Ladd McConkey, Rashawn Slater, Cole Strange, Tuli Tuipulotu, Khalil Mack, Deane Leonard, and Derwin James Jr. have no game status designation and are expected to play.

game status for week 3 at BUF

QUESTIONABLE — Rodney Shelley, Trey Lance

OUT — Kayode Awosika, Charlie Kolar, Elijah Molden, Trey Pipkins, Brenen Thompson, Dalvin Tomlinson

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 25, 2026

Ladd McConkey is available, but the offense needs more from him

McConkey’s rib injury put his Week 2 availability in question, but he played against the Raiders. He practiced fully throughout this week and is off the final injury report, so there is no reason to treat him as a game-time decision. The more interesting question is whether he and Herbert can rediscover the connection they showed in the season opener.

That matters because the Chargers have looked disjointed through losses to the Cardinals and Raiders. McConkey’s clearance removes the immediate availability concern, but it does not guarantee the kind of production many expected from him this season. Herbert and McConkey are healthy enough to play; now they have to turn that into sustained drives.

Thompson’s absence takes a speedy receiver out of the rotation, though he hasn't been a part of the game plan so far. Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris remain part of the receiving group, but the offense has yet to show enough consistency to assume that one missing player will transform either role. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is also in the mix now. McConkey remains the clearest fantasy option at the position.

Tight end injuries give Oronde Gadsden II a bigger opening

The tight end room has changed more substantially. David Njoku was placed on injured reserve this week, and Kolar has been ruled out against Buffalo. That leaves Oronde Gadsden II with an opportunity for more playing time, although the Chargers have also added Hayden Rucci to the active roster. More snaps could mean more chances for Gadsden, but it would be premature to assume every Njoku and Kolar target will go his way.

Gadsden was used more as a slot receiver with Njoku and Kolar out there, but now he must figure out how to block with the offensive line with normal tight end positioning.

The offensive line deserves attention, too. Awosika and Pipkins are out, while Slater and Strange are available after appearing on the report. Keeping two starters in the lineup helps, but losing depth and flexibility up front is hardly ideal for an offense trying to give Herbert cleaner possessions and create room for Hampton. Mike McDaniel and the Bolts' offense are still trying to establish the running game.

For fantasy football, the takeaway is simple

McConkey is cleared, Herbert and Hampton are healthy, and Gadsden has the clearest chance to gain a larger role. The Chargers’ injuries create concerns around those players, especially on the offensive line, but the team’s uneven first two games remain the bigger question heading into Sunday.

If something doesn't change, the Bolts will fall to 0-3, and things only get worse from there.