Will Dissly, the Los Angeles Chargers’ tight end, sustained a shoulder injury during their Week 14 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 8, 2024.
He had been filling a significant role in the offense, especially with the absence of rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who was sidelined for the game.
This absence meant that Dissly was expected to step up as one of Justin Herbert’s primary pass-catching options, and he had already hauled in two receptions in the first half, including a 15-yard gain on the Chargers’ final play before halftime.
However, disaster struck just before the break when Dissly suffered a shoulder injury during that very play. As both teams entered their respective locker rooms for halftime, the Chargers’ official X (formerly Twitter) account announced that Dissly’s return to the game was in question due to the injury.
While no immediate details were provided, it was clear that this was a significant blow to both the Chargers and fantasy managers who had been counting on him as a key part of the offense.
At the time of the injury, Dissly had emerged as one of the Chargers’ most consistent contributors in the passing game, having solidified himself as the team’s second-leading receiver among active players for the week.
His role had grown substantially as the season progressed, especially after McConkey’s absence in previous games.
Dissly had also enjoyed a productive stretch, registering several fantasy-relevant performances over a seven-week period, which had helped him gain a significant following in fantasy leagues.
Should Dissly be unable to return to the game or miss time in the coming weeks, the Chargers will likely have to turn to tight end Stone Smartt to fill the void.
However, Smartt is not expected to become a fantasy-relevant option, as his role is unlikely to offer enough volume or production to make an impact in most leagues.
The Chargers are already dealing with multiple injuries to key offensive players, with the absence of McConkey making it even harder for quarterback Justin Herbert to find reliable pass-catchers.
In addition to McConkey’s injury, the Chargers’ receiving corps has been inconsistent this season, with players like Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston failing to consistently step up.
Given these circumstances, the loss of Dissly could leave Herbert even more limited in terms of options to move the ball effectively, making the offense more one-dimensional and reliant on players who have yet to prove themselves as reliable contributors.
From a fantasy perspective, the impact of Dissly’s injury is significant, especially for managers who had been relying on him as a tight end option.
His absence would not only affect his fantasy value but could also make other Chargers’ pass-catchers even less appealing.
With Herbert dealing with various injuries of his own and limited options at his disposal, it may be harder for fantasy managers to trust any of the Chargers’ skill-position players in the near future.
As the game progresses, it will be important to monitor Dissly’s status, as his return or absence could have a significant impact on the Chargers’ offense and fantasy football landscapes.
If he is unable to return to the field in Week 14, the Chargers will likely rely on other players to step up, but with the team’s ongoing injury struggles, it may be a tough road ahead for both real-life and fantasy football success.
