Jim Harbaugh provides update on Ladd McConkey injury

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jim Harbaugh provides update on Ladd McConkey injury after Chargers' Week 1 loss

By Chris Pownall | Last updated Sep 14, 2026 8:40 PM ET

The Los Angeles Chargers walked away from Week 1 with more than a loss to worry about. Jim Harbaugh revealed Monday that wide receiver Ladd McConkey is dealing with a rib injury.

Ladd McConkey is day-to-day with rib injury

Harbaugh provided the update while speaking to reporters Monday, via the Chargers' official YouTube channel.

"Ladd has a rib injury," Harbaugh said. "He's working through it, and he's day-to-day."

For now, that's about as much as the Chargers know.

Harbaugh didn't say McConkey will miss any time, and a day-to-day designation at least leaves the door open for him to be available in Week 2. His status during practice this week should give Los Angeles a much better idea of where things stand.

Still, it's not the update the Chargers wanted after an ugly start to the season.

McConkey has become one of Justin Herbert's most important targets, making anything that could limit him worth watching closely.

Chargers have other injuries to deal with

McConkey wasn't the only player Harbaugh mentioned Monday.

Harbaugh said Elijah Molden is also day-to-day while working through a hamstring injury. KeAndre Lambert-Smith has a hamstring issue as well, although his situation appears more serious.

"He'll probably miss some time," Harbaugh said.

That's a lot to sort through coming out of one game.

Los Angeles already has plenty to clean up after its loss to Arizona. Harbaugh admitted the Chargers made mistakes across all three phases and even acknowledged wishing he had given his players more preseason work.

Now McConkey's health gets added to the list.

The good news is Harbaugh stopped short of suggesting his receiver will be out. Until McConkey gets back on the practice field, though, his Week 2 status is going to be one of the biggest things to watch in Los Angeles.

Chris Pownall

Chris Pownall is a Contributor to Yardbarker covering all major sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, college athletics, and the biggest storylines shaping the sports world. His work focuses on timely analysis, strong opinion, and the narratives fans are actually talking about. He also serves as an NFL Analyst for Last Word on Sports, where he provides in depth coverage and league wide perspective on the NFL

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