Ladd McConkey or T.J. Hockenson: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 4 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Start Hockenson — McConkey is ruled out.

Ladd McConkey is ruled out, which settles it: T.J. Hockenson is the only startable side of this call. Hockenson projects 9.0 PPR points.

Ladd McConkey

Ladd McConkey

WR19LACvs SEA

Projected Points

OUT — verdict voidSit
T.J. Hockenson

T.J. Hockenson

TE18MINvs MIA

Projected Points

Start

Ladd McConkey’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-172 / +128
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 47.5
-113 / -111
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+310
Anytime Touchdown Props →

T.J. Hockenson’s market

REC
O/U 4.5
+106 / -136
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 37.5
-120 / -111
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+170
Anytime Touchdown Props →
LAC@
SEASun, Oct 4, 4:25 PM ETView the game →
MIA@
MINSun, Oct 4, 4:05 PM ETView the game →

Why Ladd McConkey

Sit

WR1 and primary target. Elite separator from the slot or outside with precise route running.

Ruled out — verdict void; pivot to your bench.

  • Currently ruled out — not a viable start until his status changes.
  • SEA ranks 8 of 32 against WRs (one of the tougher matchups, 3-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 21.3 team points as 3.0-point underdogs.
  • Listed WR on the latest depth chart with a 61% snap share.

Latest on McConkey

Status

Ladd McConkey did not practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday with a foot injury.

Chargers vs. Seahawks Injury Report: Ladd McConkey Doesn't Practice, Donte Jackson Limited Ahead of Week 4chargers.com · Oct 1, 2026
StatusPreviously

Ladd McConkey was listed on the injury report with a rib injury and cleared to play Week 3.

Chargers.com · Sep 27, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why T.J. Hockenson

Start

TE1 and primary middle-of-field target. Route-savvy seam threat with high-volume usage when healthy.

Start — TE18 consensus, projects TE14 this week: 25.5 implied team total, 26% target share.

  • MIA ranks 17 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 3-game sample).
  • Vegas implies 25.5 team points as 7.5-point favorites.
  • Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 73% snap share.

Latest on Hockenson

Facts vs. Feelings: Seven start-sit decisions you might be dreading and the facts to guide you through them

Loza shares facts to help you decide whether to start players you might feel are borderline in Week 3.

ESPN · Sep 23, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricLadd McConkeyT.J. Hockenson
Projected points
Consensus rankWR19TE18
Opponent vs positionSEA · 8 of 323-game sampleMIA · 17 of 323-game sample
Receptions9 of 3216 of 32
Receiving Yards1 of 3228 of 32
Receiving TDs8 of 3217 of 32
Targets15 of 326 of 32
Anytime TD7 of 3217 of 32
Target share14%26%
Reception share17%32%
Implied total · spread21.3+3.025.5-7.5
Depth chartWR1TE1
Snap share61%73%
Injury designationout—
Start/Sit record—1–0

Recent form

Ladd McConkey — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs BUF
Week 2vs LV
Week 1vs ARI

T.J. Hockenson — last 3 weeks

Week 3vs TB
Week 2vs CHI
Week 1vs GB

Signal breakdown

  • 11.7 vs 9.0 projected PPR pointsLadd McConkey +
  • Rank 19 vs 18T.J. Hockenson +
  • Opponent DvP rank 8 vs 17 (32 = softest)T.J. Hockenson +
  • Implied 21.3 vs 25.5 team pointsT.J. Hockenson +
  • A ruled-out player cannot be a startT.J. Hockenson +
  • 61% vs 73% snap shareT.J. Hockenson +

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