*Update 12/11/21: Mike Williams is cleared to play, but Keenan Allen is not, leaving the WR2 battle up for grabs in LA still.
With both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on the CoVid-19 list, its looking like "next man up" in LA. But which Chargers receiver will it be?
Josh Palmer and Jalen Guyton are almost identical in stature (6'1, 210lbs). Guyton in his third year has 18 receptions for 289 yards (16.1 average) and 1 touchdown on 32 targets. Third-round rookie Palmer has 15 catches for 168 yards (11.2 average) and 1 touchdown, on 21 targets.
Guyton has the momentum, coming off the Bengals beatdown where he scored his first touchdown of the season. He also played 53% of the week 13 snaps compared to 34% for Palmer, and on the season has played 56% of the snaps compared to the rookie's 29%.
It's unlikely Mike Williams will clear protocols by Sunday although there is a chance Keenan Allen does. Either way there will be one and possibly two star receivers out for one of the NFL's most pass heavy offenses. When this happened to Dallas, backups Michael Gallup and Cedric Wilson shined. Similar outcomes are expected here, with Guyton expected to receive the most targets but Palmer will see a boost as well.
While Guyton is a waiver "must-add" right now and a hot flex play for week 14, perhaps the biggest boost will be seen by pass-catching back Austin Ekeler and veteran tight end Jared Cook, who already have established trust built with young QB Justin Herbert.
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