Ladd McConkey’s rookie tear only continued on Sunday with a standout performance in the 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The former Georgia wide receiver had already crossed the century mark by halftime, tallying 105 yards on eight receptions. He had been targeted by quarterback Justin Herbert nine times.
Before McConkey went down with a knee injury in the final minute of the game and was considered questionable to return. But before he was sidelined, he had amassed 9 receptions for 117 yards. He averaged 13 yards per reception.
He reached a season-high in receptions and recorded his third 100-yard game, with this one joining the 31-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals (123 yards) and the 26-8 win over the New Orleans Saints (111 yards).
Practically the entire Chargers passing game on Sunday rode on McConkey’s performance as Herbert finished out the game 16-for-23 passing with 147 yards through the air.
In the last three weeks alone, McConkey has targeted 27 times, catching 21 passes for 323 yards. He now totals 815 receiving yards and is well on pace to reach 1,000 yards as the Chargers head down the home stretch of the season.
To have accomplished what he did Sunday was particularly special as he returned to Georgia in an on-field capacity for the first time since his college career in Athens.
“We lost last week, and we wanted to get that taste out of our mouths. So it was good to come in here and get done and get rolling on the back half of the season,” he said.
McConkey has been playing through injury for weeks now, but it hasn’t hindered his game. And the fact he’s performing at the level he is with that just makes him that much more impressive.
He was asked about those hindrances but seemed optimistic about the future on that front.
“We’ll regroup tomorrow. Get back out there and get right next week. It’s cool coming back home, cool experience. Just so proud of my guys.”
McConkey headed into Sunday’s game with 698 receiving yards, the second among all rookie pass-catchers and behind only former teammate Brock Bowers. He has put together a long list of accomplishments already, adding to that Sunday as his 105 receiving yards were the most ever by a Chargers rookie in the first half, going back to 1991.
Keenan Allen held the record before with 104 receiving yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.
Ironically, McConkey and the Chargers will hit the road once more to face the Chiefs up next on the schedule. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. in Arrowhead Stadium.
