Quentin Johnston being carted off the field.
Harry How/Getty
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Quentin Johnston #1 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts as he is taken off the field with an injury during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers‘ head coach Jim Harbaugh offered an encouraging update on third-year WR Quentin Johnston after the receiver suffered a terrifying injury in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Rams. “[Johnston] suffered a concussion,” Harbaugh told reporters during his post-game presser. “That’s never a good thing, but with the way it looked there at the time, it looked like it could’ve been a lot worse.”
Harbaugh continued: “He was taken for more evaluation, but he was talking, he remembered the play. He was moving good. So in that way, it’s a good thing.” When asked if Johnston was transported to a hospital, he said, “Yeah out of precaution, to make sure everything was looked at. X-rays.”
Given the hit Johnston took, Harbaugh was right to categorize it as a good update. While tracking a deep pass from Chargers QB Justin Herbert, Johnston had the pass batted away by Rams CB A.J. Green before taking an absolutely brutal hit from S Tanner Ingold. Johnston had pulled up after the pass hit the turf, but Ingold did not. His shoulder connected with Johnston’s chin at full speed, sending Johnston limply to the turf. He wasn’t moving on the ground for several moments, appearing to be knocked unconscious by the hit.
Johnston Enters a Critical Third NFL Season
Quentin Johnston
Ian Maule/GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 05: Quentin Johnston #1 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 34-20 at Allegiant Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
After being the No. 21 overall pick in 2023, Johnston has struggled to stand out from the crowd in an underwhelming Chargers receiving corps. As a rookie, he struggled with drops and only had 38 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns. Given his status as a first-round pick, more was expected of him, and he couldn’t deliver.
That said, he took a major step forward in his sophomore NFL season. His numbers went up across the board, with 55 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns, and he proved himself a valuable contributor for the Los Angeles offense. His size and speed made for a great pairing with Herbert, who has one of the strongest arms in the league. Johnston’s ability to attack defenses vertically and win with physicality at the catch point is a valuable skill.
Now, entering his third season, Johnston was poised to take another step and establish himself as a piece of the offense long-term. If he’s forced to miss time, however, that could open the door for other players.
Chargers Receiving Corps is in Need of Playmakers
With the surprise retirement of veteran WR Mike Williams on the eve of training camp, the Chargers wide receiver room was suddenly very young. Johnston was the most experienced of the expected starters, and he’s only been in the league two years. Second-year man Ladd McConkey had a strong rookie season that landed him on the NFL Top 100, and he’s the unquestioned star of the group. Second-round rookie Tre Harris was thrust into a larger role than initially anticipated, which likely lead to the Chargers bringing back franchise icon Keenan Allen after a year in Chicago.
If there’s one player who could threaten Johnston’s role while he sits out with this concussion, it’s probably Harris. He, like Johnston, is a bigger receiver who wins with speed on the outside and down the field. Still, with three weeks yet to go before Week 1 kicks off, there’s a chance Johnston won’t miss any regular season action at all.