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Charger Report

Chargers Stock Report: Three Players Rising and Two Falling After Week 5

With the Los Angeles Chargers falling to 0-5, which players on this team's Week 5 performance are rising and falling after another loss?
Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (28) scores a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the scond half at SoFi Stadium.  Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (28) scores a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the scond half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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While the entire Los Angeles Chargers team is lacking any sort of excitement or hope for the team's chances of doing damage later in the season, it is still reasonable to look at some guys on the roster who may be impactful in the future or guys who will not stick around as they are not performing up to expectations.

Riser #1 - Kimani Vidal

Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (28) scores a touchdown
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kimani Vidal was arguably the lone bright spot of the Chargers offense in Week 5. The team was down their top five wide receivers and was down to nearly an entire backup offensive line. Vidal, as the team's third RB, had an electric run that gave the Chargers one of their only highlights of the entire season.

Vidal had eight carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, coupled with a few nice blocks on Herbert scrambles, continuing to grow his trust in this offense.

Faller #1 - Oronde Gadsden II

Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden (86) warms up prior to the game
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Oronde Gadsden II is a talented tight end who has shown plenty of promise in his rookie season, but in Year 2, he has looked like a completely different player. He is not featured in the offense and is not someone who is seemingly making the same plays as before.

He is falling on this team, as he had one target for this entire game, even with the Chargers missing the majority of their receiver room.

Riser #2 - Charlie Kolar

Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar (88) carries the ball
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Charlie Kolar returned in Week 5 after missing a few games with a forearm injury, making his impact known early. He made an impressive catch-and-run...that ended in a fumble. Which is obviously not a great look, but outside of this error, he helped the Chargers' running attack, making key blocks on the first and second levels of the defense. Kolar was the team's leading receiver with three catches for 37 yards.

Faller #2 - Keaton Mitchell

Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (34) runs the ball
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Keaton Mitchell is still featured heavily in this Bolts' offense, garnering six carries for 11 yards and three receptions for 18 yards. While Mitchell has shown promise as a receiver, he has yet to have an elite chunk-run play, showing why the Chargers went out specifically to add him to their roster. His 1.8 yards per carry is simply not enough.

Riser #3 - Akheem Mesidor

Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is pressured by Akheem Mesidor.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The final name on this list is Akheem Mesidor, the Chargers first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mesidor has played well in his role as the team's EDGE3. He has shown immense effort and skill, collecting another sack and forced fumble in Week 5. He also led the team in tackles with eight. Look for Mesidor to continue rising, giving the team at least one player to build around for the 2027 NFL season.

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Nate Gosney
NATE GOSNEY

Nate Gosney is lifelong Chargers fan and football nerd who has been writing NFL content since 2022. As a former OL/TE in a run-only offense, he loves some old-school, tough football. Gosney also earned an Associates Degree in Journalism from Chaffey College and a Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from Cal State San Bernardino. Follow Gosney on X for more updates: @NateGosney

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