The Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers are putting on a snooze fest on primetime. In a highly anticipated contest between two playoff hopefuls, the two offenses have been largely quiet. Until late in the second quarter, neither team had scored a touchdown until the Chargers found the end zone. It’s still been a slow start for many offensive threats, including Oronde Gadsden II.
Oronde Gadsden II’s Slow First Half
Gadsden was not very active in the first half. Over the last few weeks, he has emerged as one of Herbert’s favorite targets, but hasn’t been productive tonight. Gadsden left the game in the third quarter and went to the medical tent.
After spending time in the medical tent, Gadsden headed to the locker room with the injury.
Status alert: Oronde Gadsden headed to locker room Sunday.
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) November 10, 2025
His return to tonight’s game is questionable. Gadsden had three catches in the first half for only 13 yards when he exited the game.
The Chargers were looking to get him more involved as they look to separate themselves from Pittsburgh and pick up a massive victory. They are clinging to a 15-3 lead despite playing subpar football. Justin Herbert has completed 17 of his 29 passes for just 140 yards. The passing attack hasn’t been great and needs to be better.
Gadsden is a rookie who has made his mark with Los Angeles. He burst onto the scene with four straight games of 68 receiving yards and more. His statement game was against the Colts with seven catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. Then, he put fantasy owners and the entire league on notice when he followed up these games with consistency.
Gadsden is the 7th-ranked tight end in PFSN’s TE Impact with a grade of 84.1. From a fifth-round draft pick out of Syracuse to one of the most exciting tight ends in the NFL, the Chargers will be grateful to have a weapon like Gadsden at their disposal.
The Chargers’ offense has a plethora of weapons at its disposal. They have a budding star in Ladd McConkey, a proven weapon in Keenan Allen, and a dangerous rookie RB Omarion Hampton, who should be returning to play soon. Now, with Gadsden potentially injured for the future, they will need their weapons to set up big time.
Fantasy Impact of Gadsden’s Injury
Gadsden has been one of the best stories of the season. The rookie tight end ascended from way down the depth chart to become an every-week TE1.
Based on the nature of his injury, it looks like he was kneed in the knee. That’s painful, but unlikely to result in any structural damage. He may miss a game, but hopefully nothing more than that. As a reminder, the Chargers play one more game in Week 11 before their bye. By Week 13, Gadsden should be okay.
If Gadsden does miss Week 11, that would funnel more targets toward the Chargers’ wide receivers. Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly are not about to suddenly become featured members of this passing attack.
