Chargers' Oronde Gadsden II: Week 3 Waiver Priority List
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David Njoku (leg) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) are headed to injured reserve, which means Gadsden is the last tight end standing for the Chargers. He's worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB. Gadsden caught a touchdown in Week 2 against Las Vegas, with two catches for 18 yards on two targets but hopefully he'll get more opportunities moving forward with Njoku and Kolar out. Last year, as a rookie, Gadsden had nine games with at least five targets, and he scored at least 10.1 PPR points in six of those outings.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Set for elevated role as TE1
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Gadsden is the only healthy tight end on the Chargers' active roster following the team's 26-14 loss to the Raiders on Sunday, Noah Furtado of The Athletic reports.
Both David Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) are expected to go on injured reserve due to injuries they suffered during Sunday's loss. Given those injuries, as well as Ladd McConkey being limited by a lingering rib injury, Gadsden should operate in an elevated role in the passing game over the coming weeks. Gadsden showed flashes of promise during the 2025 regular season, including a three-game stretch from Weeks 6 to 8, when he caught 19 passes (on 22 targets) for 309 yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers hit the road for Week 3 against the Bills, whose defense has yielded a 14-116-1 line (on 19 targets) to tight ends through two games.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Catches two passes in limited action
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Gadsden caught both of his targets for 32 yards during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Gadsden's 10 snaps on offense were a distant third among Chargers tight ends behind Charlie Kolar and David Njoku (30 each), with Gadsden also seeing the field for eight snaps on special teams. The second-year tight end did connect with Justin Herbert on a 26-yard pass in the second quarter, and Gadsden could see his role in the passing game expand Week 2 against the Raiders if wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) were to be sidelined.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden II: TEs to Sit
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Gadsden had a solid game in Week 17 against Houston with three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown on six targets, and he has now scored at least 10.1 PPR points in two of his past three games. But with Justin Herbert not playing in Week 18 to rest for the playoffs, Gadsden will be tough to trust with Trey Lance at quarterback. Gadsden made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Broncos and had five catches for 46 yards on seven targets, but that was with Herbert. I'm not expecting a big game for Gadsden with Lance under center.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Logs limited work in preseason finale
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Gadsden participated in eight offensive snaps and did not record any statistics otherwise in Thursday's preseason loss to the Rams.
For the second straight week, Gadsden worked in a reserve role behind Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. While snap counts during preseason play aren't generally reflective of what will happen during the regular season, it could be telling that Gadsden saw only one offensive snap with Justin Herbert on the field during the exhibition slate while fellow tight ends Charlie Kolar and David Njoku logged six and five snaps, respectively, in that scenario. Despite Gadsden's promising rookie campaign last year, he could be looking at a reduced role behind Kolar and Njoku -- both of whom are regarded as better blockers -- in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's system.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Plays behind Kolar, Njoku in preseason
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Gadsden recorded two catches for 24 yards on three targets during Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the 49ers.
Though his two receptions tied for the team lead and his 24 receiving yards ranked second, Gadsden's usage in the Chargers' second preseason game probably holds greater importance than his statistical output. The second-year tight end didn't log any snaps on either of the Chargers' first two possessions of the contest, with both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku playing ahead of him before being shut down for the rest of the night. Given that Kolar and Njoku were both rested the week prior while Gadsden saw snaps with the backups in the Chargers' 27-7 win over the Texans in the preseason opener, Gadsden could be trending toward a role reduction in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme. Since he still profiles as the Chargers' top pass-catching option at the position, Gadsden might be utilized ahead of Njoku or Kolar on third downs or hurry-up scenarios, but that sort of role could make his production highly volatile week to week and heavily dependent on game script.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Joined by Njoku
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Gadsden faces increased competition for snaps and targets in 2026 after free agent David Njoku agreed to a one-year deal with the Chargers on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Gadsden broke out as a rookie fifth-round pick last season, totaling a 49-664-3 receiving line over 15 regular-season games at just 22 years old. While Gadsden remains primed to take a step forward in his development in Year 2, Los Angeles inked blocking specialist Charlie Kolar to a three-year deal at the outset of free agency, and Njoku's arrival now makes for a crowded TE room. Gadsden, a 6-foot-5, 236-pound converted wide receiver, boasts a similar frame and skill set to Njoku, a nine-year veteran and off-the-charts athlete who totaled a career-high 81-882-6 receiving line in 2023 but struggled with injuries over the last two seasons and was overtaken by rookie Harold Fannin with the Browns in 2025. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel relied heavily on multi-TE sets during his four-year stint with the Dolphins, and the Chargers have little proven production at WR behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, so a path exists for both Gadsden and Njoku to operate as top targets for QB Justin Herbert.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Low volume without starting QB
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Gadsden brought in both of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Broncos.
Gadsden was one of a handful of key players on offense allowed to take the field for the Chargers in Week 18. The 2025 fifth-round pick was able to add a couple of receptions to his rookie total, bringing his final line up to 49-664-3 in 15 appearances this regular season. While the tight end certainly surpassed expectations as a rookie, Gadsden's inconsistent play down the stretch makes him a risky DFS play in the wild-card round, even with QB Justin Herbert back under center.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden II: TEs to Sit
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Gadsden had a solid game in Week 17 against Houston with three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown on six targets, and he has now scored at least 10.1 PPR points in two of his past three games. But with Justin Herbert not playing in Week 18 to rest for the playoffs, Gadsden will be tough to trust with Trey Lance at quarterback. Gadsden made his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Broncos and had five catches for 46 yards on seven targets, but that was with Herbert. I'm not expecting a big game for Gadsden with Lance under center.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Mixed bag in Week 17 loss
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Gadsden brought in three of six targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday.
Gadsden had two diametrically opposite experiences in the red zone Saturday, first having a ball bounce off his hands inside the five-yard line and landing in the hands of the Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair to extinguish a golden late first-half scoring opportunity. The rookie tight end then atoned to a degree with a one-yard touchdown grab late in the third quarter, his third career score and first since Week 8. Gadsden should continue filling a key role in the Week 18 road regular-season finale against the Broncos.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden II: Sleeper TEs
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Keep an eye on the status for Quentin Johnston (groin) in Week 16 at Dallas. If he's out again, then Gadsden is worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. Gadsden had a solid game in Week 15 at Kansas City with four catches for 61 yards on five targets, and he scored 10.1 PPR points with Johnston sidelined. The last time Johnston was out was in Week 6 at Miami, and Gadsden had seven catches for 68 yards on eight targets. It's also a good matchup since three tight ends have scored at least 10.6 PPR points against the Cowboys in the past five games.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden II: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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Gadsden had a solid game in Week 15 at Kansas City with four catches for 61 yards on five targets, and he scored 10.1 PPR points with Quentin Johnston (groin) out. The last time Johnston was out was in Week 6 at Miami, and Gadsden had seven catches for 68 yards on eight targets. Keep an eye on Johnston's status for Week 16 at Dallas, and Gadsden can be a top-10 Fantasy tight end in all leagues if Johnston is out again. Three tight ends have also scored at least 10.6 PPR points against the Cowboys in the past five games.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Team-high yardage total in win
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Gadsden brought in four of five targets for 61 yards in the Chargers' 16-13 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.
Gadsden led the Chargers in receiving yards and tied for second in targets, also providing the team's second-longest catch of the afternoon (27 yards). Quentin Johnston's absence due to a groin injury may have benefitted the rookie tight end, who finished with his highest reception and receiving yardage totals since Week 9. Gadsden will take a 43-602-2 line on 60 targets into a Week 16 road matchup against the Cowboys.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden II: TEs to Sit
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Gadsden just had his worst game of the season in Week 14 against Philadelphia with one catch for 7 yards on four targets, and he scored 1.7 PPR points. He's now scored 6.1 PPR points or less in four games in a row, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 8. Justin Herbert is struggling also while dealing with an injured left hand, and the Chiefs are No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Only three tight ends have scored at least 10 PPR points against Kansas City this season, and Gadsden is not worth starting in the majority of leagues.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Held quiet in Week 14
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Gadsden finished with one reception for seven yards on four targets in Monday's 22-19 overtime win over the Eagles.
With a 62 percent snap share on the night, Gadsden once again handily paced Chargers tight ends in playing time, but it didn't translate into much production. Since recording at least five catches and 68 receiving yards in four straight games from Weeks 6 through 9, Gadsden has been limited to a 7-88-0 receiving line on 17 targets over the Chargers' ensuing four contests.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Just 41 yards in Week 11 loss
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Gadsden caught two of five targets for 41 yards in the Chargers' 35-6 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.
Gadsden had just one catch for 13 yards until late in the fourth quarter when he caught a 28-yard pass from backup quarterback Trey Lance when the game was well out of hand. It was a challenge most of the afternoon for the Los Angeles offense, as Justin Herbert threw for just 81 yards prior to being removed from the blowout loss. After big production in October, Gadsden has cooled off in back-to-back weeks, with just five catches for 54 yards on 11 targets over the past two games. The Chargers have a Week 12 bye before hosting the Raiders at home in Week 13.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: In line to practice Wednesday
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Gadsden (quadriceps) is slated to practice Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Gadsden was forced out of Sunday's 25-10 win over the Steelers in the third quarter after logging 38 snaps in the contest. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the tight end is viewed as day-to-day with a quad bruise, but Gadsden's looming participation in practice Wednesday -- in any capacity -- is a positive sign ahead of this weekend's game against the Jaguars.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Set for MRI on knee
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Gadsden is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left knee after exiting Sunday's 25-10 win over the Steelers in the third quarter, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The rookie tight end finished with three catches for 13 yards on six targets before leaving the game when he made hard contact with the knee of a Steelers defender. The MRI will shed more light on the severity of Gadsden's injury, but his status for a Week 11 game in Jacksonville is murky. If he's sidelined next weekend, the Chargers would go back to Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly as their main pass-catching options at tight end.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Questionable to return to SNF
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Gadsden (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Gadsden went to the locker room in the third quarter and was deemed questionable to return shortly thereafter. The red-hot rookie recorded at least 68 receiving yards in each of his previous four games but had just three catches for 13 yards on six targets Sunday prior to suffering the injury.
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Chargers' Oronde Gadsden: Leading receiver in win
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Gadsden recorded five receptions on five targets for 68 yards in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Titans.
Justin Herbert distributed targets extremely evenly among all of his top pass catchers, including Gadsden. Even so, Gadsden narrowly led the team in receiving yards, thanks primarily to a long 34-yard catch that came just short of the end zone. This was the fourth consecutive game that Gadsden has had at least five receptions and 65 receiving yards, and he's quickly become a reliable starting tight end in all formats.
