LOS ANGELES -- For all the good Ladd McConkey did in the best rookie wide receiver season in Chargers history -- he routinely frustrated wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal.

Amid racking up the most receiving yards (1,149) and receptions (82) by a rookie in franchise history in 2024, McConkey, who came into the NFL at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, often ended up on the wrong side of big hits from defenders.

Those hits led to injuries.

McConkey suffered a hip injury in a Week 6 win over the Denver Broncos , and also shoulder and knee injuries against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13 that forced him to miss the following game against the Kansas City Chiefs .

"We don't want him to get crushed," Lal said. "Ladd's a competitor; he's going to try and catch the ball, and if it's three people

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