Chargers' Herbert faces new challenges with short week
Quarterback Justin Herbert makes his Thursday night debut when the Los Angeles Chargers travel to Las Vegas to face the RaidersDECEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
HUNTER HENRY #85 - TIGHT END - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
414 YDS •
39 REC •
1 TD
414 YDS
39 REC
1 TD
Limited on Tuesday's report Henry (hip) was limited on Tuesday's estimated injury report.
Impact All of the Chargers' key non-QB skill-position players are tending to injuries, but all of Keenan Allen (hamstring), Austin Ekeler (quadricep), Mike Williams (back) and Henry would have practiced in some capacity Tuesday after DNPs one day prior. The pattern indicates coach Anthony Lynn is taking a similar approach with each of the quartet, but Wednesday's report will reveal if any of them are in danger of being limited or sitting out Thursday in Las Vegas.
DECEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Listed as DNP on practice estimate Henry (hip) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate.
Impact As was Keenan Allen (hamstring), Mike Williams (back) and Austin Ekeler (quad). We'll look for added context on the status of the quartet of key skill players Tuesday, as the Chargers ramp up their preparation for Thursday night's game against the Raiders.
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Hardly difference maker in win Henry corralled six of his eight targets for 41 yards in the 20-17 win Sunday over the Falcons.
Impact Henry briefly appeared to injure his shoulder in the second half, but the tight end returned almost immediately thereafter. Sunday marked the sixth time over the last eight games Henry has seen at least six targets, but he hasn't been much of a difference maker considering his paltry average depth of target. Provided he stays healthy for the rest of the season, it's almost guaranteed the 26-year-old will set a career high in terms of receiving yards, but it's hardly the type of breakout season Henry was hoping for entering 2020 on a franchise tag.
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Badgley's FG on final play propels Chargers past Falcons
Michael Badgley hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired and the Los Angeles Chargers rallied for a 20-17 victory over the Atlanta FalconsDECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hardly involved in blowout loss Henry caught one of two targets for five yards during Sunday's 45-0 loss to the Patriots.
Impact Henry's output was his worst of the season across the board as he was hardly involved despite the fact that his team played from behind for much of the day. This dud came as even more of a surprise considering he had two touchdowns and an average of 48.3 yards per game over his last three. Henry has been a reliable target for most of the season and will look to get back on track next Sunday against a Falcons defense that has been susceptible to opposing tight ends this season.
DECEMBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Effective in loss Henry caught seven of his 10 targets for 67 yards in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Bills.
Impact It was another productive fantasy day for Henry, who continues to build a rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert. Although the big-bodied tight end failed to score a touchdown for the first time in three games, he did tie a season high in receptions and also saw a season high in targets with the Chargers facing an early double-digit deficit. Henry has been consistent but not spectacular this season, and he may be hard-pressed to capitalize on the momentum in a tough matchup against New England next week.
NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
NFL Today, Week 11
NFL Today, Week 11NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scores for second straight game Henry caught four of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 34-28 win over the Jets.
Impact Henry tied for third on the team in targets and hauled in exactly four passes for the fifth time in the last six games. He made a two-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter to help his team stretch the lead, giving him scores in back-to-back games after going without one the previous three outings. Henry should have plenty of chances to continue thriving in next Sunday's road matchup with the Bills.
NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Allen, Herbert propel Chargers to 34-28 victory over Jets
Keenan Allen set a Chargers franchise record with 16 receptions, Justin Herbert threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns and Los Angeles held on for a 34-28 victory over the winles...NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Latest: Cowboys win, NFC East teams all have 3 wins
The NFC East race has become even tighter and weirderNOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jets CB Poole having shoulder surgery, out for season
The New York Jets’ suddenly thin and inexperienced secondary took another big hitNOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ends three-game scoring drought Henry caught four of his six targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Dolphins.
Impact The tight end is probably thankful to have a mobile signal caller considering Henry's touchdown was essentially a byproduct of the defense converging on Justin Herbert in the red zone, allowing for an easy score. That might be one of the few times fantasy managers have been thankful for the increased mobility as Sunday marked just the second time since Week 2 that the tight end saw a target within the five-yard line. At this point, it's clear the Chargers would rather rely on Herbert's legs (three red-zone rushing TDs) in close quarters as opposed to targeting their big bodies out wide. The schematic change between Herbert and long-time starter Philip Rivers has come at the cost of Henry and Mike Williams' red-zone opportunities, though Week 11 might be a fruitful matchup considering the Jets' ineptitude for much of the season.
NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 10
Week 10 begins the final push toward the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, so logic is abandoned for teams in search of late-season magicNOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Limited numbers once again Henry caught four of his seven targets for 33 yards in the 31-26 loss to the Raiders on Sunday.
Impact While the oddity of having back-to-back weeks with exactly four receptions and 33 yards receiving might be humorous, it's a less-than-ideal outcome for fantasy managers given what was supposedly a plus matchup. Henry continues to see plenty of targets (53), but an average depth of target of 6.9 yards indicates the almost absurd levels the Chargers take to make sure the tight end provides relief short across the middle of the field.
NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Snares four targets Henry caught all four of his targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 31-30 loss against the Broncos.
Impact Henry converted every one of his targets and also saw a season-high 84 snaps. While Henry has only scored one touchdown this season, he is on pace to set career highs in receptions and receiving yards, although that's a byproduct of the tight end's lack of durability through five seasons. His four red-zone targets halfway through the campaign is a bit concerning, especially after the loss of Austin Ekeler (hamstring).
NOVEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 8
The midway point of fantasy football season has arrivedOCTOBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Takes back seat to backups Henry caught three of seven targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 39-29 win over the Jaguars.
Impact Henry drew the Chargers' second most targets Sunday, behind only Keenan Allen (13), but backup tight ends Virgil Green (ankle) and Donald Parham were both the recipients of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert's touchdown passes to the position. While Henry's 23 yards were tied with last week's total as his lowest mark of the season, the 25-year-old's opportunities were once again there, as he was even targeted in the end zone during Los Angeles' first drive of the day. In Week 8 he'll face the task of taking on a Denver defense that just limited Travis Kelce to 31 yards.
OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Another blown lead has Chargers reeling going into bye week
The Los Angeles Chargers were 5-1 two years ago in games decided by seven points or fewerOCTOBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chargers' Herbert getting crash course in close losses
Justin Herbert won the Campbell Trophy, which is nicknamed the Academic Heisman, at the University of Oregon last year for his smarts on and off the fieldOCTOBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scores in defeat Henry caught four of eight targets for 23 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 30-27 overtime loss to the Saints.
Impact Henry posted his lowest yardage total through five games despite teammate Keenan Allen (back) exiting early Monday. While it wasn't a particularly efficient night for the tight end, Henry still came through with a three-yard touchdown prior to halftime. That play marked Henry's first score of the season, salvaging significant value while giving him decent momentum ahead of a favorable Week 6 matchup versus the Jets.
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Brees, Lutz lift Saints past hard-luck Chargers, 30-27 in OT
Wil Lutz kicked a 36-yard field goal with 5:08 left in overtime and New Orleans’ defense preserved a 30-27 victory over the Los Angeles ChargersOCTOBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Herbert hits Henry with perfect pass for third TD of night Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completes a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry.
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • NFL.COM
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 5
Through four weeks of the 2020 season, games are averaging a record 51.3 points per game, the highest total in the Super Bowl eraOCTOBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Little action Week 4 Henry brought in two of three targets for 39 yards in the Chargers' 38-31 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Impact Henry struggled compared to last week against the Panthers, seeing just three targets compared to seven against Carolina, though he did accumulate the second most out of the team's receivers. Keenan Allen continued to siphon the majority of the team's targets, receiving 12 compared to Henry's three. Things could change next week against the Saints, who allowed the second most fantasy points to tight ends thus far. It's also possible Henry could see a bit more work in the red zone if Mike Williams (hamstring) is unable to play again.
OCTOBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
