Ladd McConkey's Questionable Tag is Doing Heavy Lifting Ahead of Raiders Clash

The NFL's "questionable" tag is basically a multiple-choice test where the answer is usually just a collective shrug. Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey is the latest test subject to get slapped with the label.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chargers are officially listing McConkey as questionable for Sunday's AFC West clash against the Las Vegas Raiders thanks to a rib injury.

"Adam Schefter reported: 'Chargers are listing WR Ladd McConkey as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders due to his rib injury.'"

McConkey bruised his ribs in the fourth quarter of last week's 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Jim Harbaugh called him "day-to-day" earlier in the week, which is standard football speak for a coach hoping a problem just magically disappears. But after the receiver logged back-to-back "Did Not Practice" designations on Wednesday and Thursday, that questionable tag is doing a massive amount of heavy lifting.

If he sits, it is a brutal blow for a Los Angeles offense trying to find its footing. McConkey was one of the few bright spots for the Chargers last week, pulling down five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Taking away Justin Herbert's most efficient target from Week 1 is not exactly the recipe for a bounce-back game.

The Chargers are already staring down an 0-1 hole, and now they have to host a 1-0 Raiders squad that just bullied the Miami Dolphins 27-13. For anyone holding a Chargers ticket or relying on McConkey in a fantasy lineup, a bruised rib on a receiver who cannot get on the practice field is exactly the kind of lingering issue that ruins a Sunday afternoon.

We will not know his official status until the inactive lists drop 90 minutes before the 4:05 p.m. kickoff at SoFi Stadium. Until then, you might want to prepare your backup plans, because a guy who spends all week in the trainer's room rarely looks like a game-breaker by Sunday.