Malcolm Floyd must rise to the occasion as the Chargers’ only healthy WR. (Getty)
Football is a violent game. Each week, we see players lying in pain on the field, only to be carted away. Knees and shoulders are torn and repaired, and most players come back eventually. When Chargers WR Keenan Allen stayed on the ground in the endzone after a TD catch Sunday against the Ravens, he was initially designated as questionable to return with a back injury.
Keenan Allen with TD catch. #SDvsBAL #chargers #sandiegochargers #nfl
Two days later, Allen is still in the hospital after undergoing a procedure to repair a lacerated spleen. He has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (lacerated kidney) underwent minor procedure Monday to stop bleeding. Again, full recovery expected. Out for year.
The loss is just one of many San Diego endured in Sunday’s meeting with the Ravens. Two starting offensive lineman, LT King Dunlap and C Chris Watt both left the game with injuries, as did WR Stevie Johnson. Oh, and they lost to Baltimore on a last-second field goal, 29-26.
Allen was on a blistering pace, hauling in 67 passes through eight weeks this season. His loss really hurts the Chargers offense, who seem to lose a different starter each week. But they’ll still move the ball as long as Phillip Rivers stays upright. Rivers is on pace to break the single-season passing record, and so anyone he targets is worth rostering.
Malcolm Floyd may be 34, but now’s the perfect time to add him to your fantasy squad. Floyd exploded last week, hauling in an 70 yard touchdown pass after Allen left the game Sunday. He is now the last man standing on a struggling receiving corps, joined by Jacoby Jones, Dontrelle Inman, and recently promoted Javontee Herndon as the only healthy Chargers wideouts.
If Floyd stays healthy, he could be a huge boost for your team this season. The Chargers have thrown the ball more than any other team in the league this year, and that bodes well for any Charger that can stay on the field. In experience and talent, Floyd is by far the best available wideout in San Diego. He might be inconsistent, but so will the Chargers. San Diego has some vulnerable matchups the next few weeks, including Chicago and Jacksonville.
Projection: Floyd will have 50 + catches and at least four more touchdowns by season’s end. Could be a WR2 or Flex as early as this week.