Lambert-Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
It's the first time this season that the rookie fifth-rounder is a healthy scratch, and with the Chargers on a bye Week 12, his next opportunity to play is Week 13 against the Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 13. Derius Davis and Trayveon Williams are slated to serve as the Chargers' primary returners on kickoffs and punts in Lambert-Smith's absence.
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Past hamstring injury
Rotowire
Lambert-Smith (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
A hamstring injury prevented the rookie fifth-rounder from playing in the Chargers' Week 10 win over the Steelers. Lambert-Smith appears to be past the injury given his full practice Wednesday, and he is on track to be available for Sunday's road game against the Jaguars. He has mostly been used on special teams as a returner, posting 219 yards on nine kickoff returns across six regular-season games.
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Minimal output in win
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Lambert-Smith played five of the Chargers' 65 offensive snaps and didn't catch his only target in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Titans.
The rookie wideout from Auburn contributed more on special teams than offense in the Week 9 win, returning two kickoffs for 49 yards. Lambert-Smith has appeared in six games and caught just one of four targets this season, playing 82 total snaps (58 on offense, 24 on special teams). He's expected to remain a depth option at WR while serving as one of the Chargers' top kick returners in the Week 10 matchup against the Steelers.
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Inactive Sunday
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Lambert-Smith is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
With Lambert-Smith not in the mix Sunday, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen, Tre' Harris and Derius Davis are the Chargers' available WRs versus Denver. Through his first two games this season, Lambert-Smith was on the field for 20 snaps on offense and didn't catch his lone target.
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Can't bring in only target
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Lambert-Smith failed to secure his only target during the Chargers' 27-21 win over the Chiefs on Friday night.
Lambert-Smith played 14 offensive snaps while rookie second-rounder Tre' Harris played just five snaps. On his only target, though, Harris managed an 11-yard completion, while Lambert-Smith finished catchless. Both rookies will again compete for reps behind starting wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston as the Chargers prepare for a Monday night showdown on the road at Las Vegas in Week 2.
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: No catches to close preseason
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Lambert-Smith did not record a reception on one target in Saturday's 30-23 preseason loss to the 49ers.
The Chargers rested all of their starters, including fellow rookie Omarion Hampton. Lambert-Smith played in the team's first four offensive possessions and was targeted twice, once by Trey Lance and once by Taylor Heinicke -- though the latter was wiped out by a penalty. Lambert-Smith has been one of the key risers throughout the summer, and he could open the season as the team's fourth receiver, depending on the health and role of Tre Harris (undisclosed).
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Hype keeps building
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Lambert-Smith recorded two receptions on six targets for 66 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Lambert-Smith entered the game on the Chargers' opening drive after Quentin Johnston (concussion) was injured, following Keenan Allen but prior to fellow rookie Tre Harris. The latter development may have been the result of the fact Lambert-Smith was better suited to fill Johnston's downfield role, as both rookies ultimately played well beyond the starters' departure from the contest. Regardless, Lambert-Smith is clearly in the mix for early playing time come the regular season, and he helped his cause by splitting double coverage for a 29-yard catch on a pass from Justin Herbert on the first possession of the game.
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Keeps rolling in preseason opener
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Lambert-Smith secured both targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' 34-7 preseason win over the Lions in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.
Lambert-Smith set the pace for the Chargers in receiving yards while also sharing the team lead in receptions with multiple teammates. The rookie fifth-round pick, who's been standing out during the early stages of training camp, flashed his speed on a game-long 28-yard reception during Los Angeles' second possession, when he beat 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw down the right side of the field. Lambert-Smith then capped off his night with a 15-yard touchdown grab just past the two-minute warning in the second quarter, closing out a performance that served as an ideal carryover from his work on the practice field. The Auburn product is slotted in the latter portion of the Chargers' wide receiver depth chart at the moment, but he'll seemingly be given plenty of opportunity to make a case for a solid rookie-season rotational role on a team that's prioritized adding playmaking prowess to the offense all offseason.
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Chargers' KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Flashing potential as outside WR
Rotowire
Lambert has been an early standout for the Chargers through the first week of training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
The sudden retirement of Mike Williams coupled with a minor undisclosed injury for Jalen Reagor has opened the door for both Lambert-Smith and rookie second-round pick Tre Harris to compete for a boundary wide receiver role on the first-team offense. Lambert-Smith has the prototypical size (6-foot-1) and speed (4.37 40-yard dash at 2025 NFL Combine) to be a conventional field stretcher for an offense that has struggled to find that role for years, and he figures to be in the mix for consequential playing time regardless if he's officially listed as a starter come Week 1.
The Chargers selected Lambert-Smith in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 158th overall.
The Chargers went wide receiver for the second time this draft, previously taking Tre Harris in the second round. Lambert-Smith transferred to Auburn for his fifth collegiate season and was the clear top receiver with team highs in receptions (50), receiving yards (981) and touchdowns (eight). The 23-year-old boosted his draft stock further at the 2025 NFL Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and an above-average 79-inch wingspan at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. With 19.6 yards per catch last season, he has the tools to make splash plays in the NFL, but he joins a crowded receiver room in Los Angeles.
