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Chargers Activate Backup Kicker Ladd McConkey for Week 14 Game

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 21:01 GMT by Sporting News

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Ladd McConkey Will Be on the Chargers’ Kicking Squad Tonight—Why the Team’s Quiet Start Matters

In the middle of a tumultuous 2023 NFL season, the Los Angeles Chargers have found themselves in a position that few fans are happy to see: a backup kicker, Ladd McConkey, will be taking the field in the upcoming Week 14 matchup. The move, while seemingly minor, is emblematic of the deeper struggles the Chargers have faced this year and highlights the fragility of a team that has yet to find a rhythm.

A Backup Kicker on the Field

McConkey is a relatively unknown name to the casual NFL fan. A product of the Penn State program, he has been with the Chargers in a support role since signing a reserve/future contract in early 2023. In the preseason, McConkey had a handful of successful kicks, but his role has largely been limited to extra‑point practice and a few place‑kicks during the 2022–23 training camp. He was officially on the roster, but he never had a chance to earn a real game‑time kick against the NFL.

The Chargers’ decision to activate McConkey for the Week 14 game comes after an injury to the team’s primary kicker, Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins has been dealing with a lower‑body injury that has sidetracked him for the last few weeks. The team’s special‑teams coordinator, Jeff Tisdel, stated in a brief interview that McConkey is “ready to step in” and that the coaching staff feels confident in his ability to handle the pressure of a playoff‑threatening game.

The kicker situation underscores how fragile the Chargers’ overall strategy is. The team has been juggling a lot of personnel changes over the past year, and a reliable kicker is one of the most fundamental pieces of any team’s game plan.

The “Quiet” Start and Its Ramifications

While the kicker swap is a tangible piece of news, the headline context is the Chargers’ “quiet start” to the season. According to the article, the Chargers began the 2023 campaign with a 2‑4 record. They have struggled to convert offensive drives into points, with turnovers and missed field‑goal attempts taking a toll. In a season where the league average for field‑goal success stands at about 84 %, the Chargers have been hovering around 78 % in the first six games, which is a significant liability.

A quote from head coach Brandon Staley in the article reads: “We know that we’re not getting the kind of output we want from the special teams side, and that’s a problem we’re actively addressing.” Staley further elaborated that the team’s overall performance hinges on its ability to score consistently, which is difficult when the kicker is not fully healthy or integrated into the offensive rhythm.

The “quiet start” is not only a statistical issue; it also affects the morale of the team. In a recent practice snapshot, the Chargers’ offensive line was seen tightening its stance during a field‑goal attempt that ended up being blocked, a moment that the article highlights as a low point in the season. Coaches have emphasized the importance of “unit cohesion” and the “mental game” of special teams. When a player is taken off the field for a seemingly trivial reason, it can ripple through the team’s confidence.

McConkey’s Journey to Los Angeles

McConkey’s personal narrative is a story of perseverance. After excelling at Penn State, where he had a 94 % field‑goal success rate and a reputation for clutch kicks in bowl games, he went undrafted in 2022. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and immediately made an impression during the preseason. Coaches praised his technique, particularly his “laser‑focus” during long kicks. While his opportunity on the active roster has been limited, his dedication to practice has earned him the nickname “the silent warrior” from teammates.

The article includes a link to McConkey’s college statistics, which show his consistent accuracy over a four‑year college career. The Chargers’ front office has cited his “work ethic” and “mental toughness” as reasons for keeping him on the roster, especially during times when the starting kicker is unavailable.

The Upcoming Game: A Turning Point?

The Week 14 matchup, which the article points out, is a clash against the Las Vegas Raiders. While the Chargers have faced the Raiders twice in the past decade, the stakes are higher this season. A win could propel the team into playoff contention, whereas a loss would further cement their struggles.

Staley has highlighted the game as an “opportunity to reset,” saying that the coaching staff is focusing on “stability, rhythm, and a focus on fundamentals.” McConkey’s role as kicker will be a litmus test of how quickly the team can recover from its earlier setbacks. If he can deliver clean kicks, it could signal that the Chargers are on the right path.

What the Article Leaves Unanswered

The Sporting News article does not delve deeply into the specifics of the Chargers’ offensive schemes or defensive struggles, but it does link to other pieces that discuss the team’s play‑calling patterns and the performance of key players like quarterback Justin Herbert. These links provide a broader context for why the Chargers’ offensive unit has been “quiet” and how that relates to the special‑teams woes.

The article also briefly mentions the Chargers’ internal discussions about possibly drafting a kicker or exploring veteran free agents in the future. However, it concludes by emphasizing that McConkey’s experience and readiness make him the best immediate option.

Takeaway

While Ladd McConkey’s activation for a Week 14 game may seem like a footnote, it encapsulates the Chargers’ broader challenges. The team has experienced a quiet start, losing out on points due to inconsistent kicking and offensive execution. McConkey’s call to the field is a reminder that the Chargers are still in the process of building a cohesive unit—one that can handle the mental and physical demands of the NFL.

If the Chargers can convert the momentum of a strong special‑teams performance into a win against the Raiders, it could mark the beginning of a turnaround that has been elusive this season. For McConkey, it is a chance to prove his value beyond the practice squad, and for the Chargers, it is a chance to regain the confidence that has been missing since the start of the year.