McKitty (undisclosed) didn't practice Wednesday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Brandon Staley stated McKitty is dealing with a "soft tissue" injury, adding that the tight end is day-to-day. It appears that the team is exercising caution with the second-year tight end. McKitty currently finds himself behind both Gerald Everett and Donald Parham in the tight end pecking order, so it's likely he'll face an uphill battle for playing time this season, barring an injury to either of his aforementioned teammates.

McKitty caught six of eight targets for 45 yards across 11 appearances during the 2021 campaign.

EDGE Analysis

McKitty didn't play until after the Chargers' Week 7 bye, but third-round rookie appeared in every game after that, notching double-digit offensive snaps in all but one contest. However, he didn't really get involved in the passing game until Donald Parham suffered a concussion Week 15. From Weeks 15-18, McKitty drew at least one target in each game and caught five of six targets for 38 yards. With starting tight end Jared Cook set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, McKitty could be in store for a larger role in Year 2.

McKitty caught all three of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

McKitty saw increased playing time Sunday with both Jared Cook (reserve/COVID-19) and Donald Parham (concussion) out for the contest. The rookie shared tight-end duties with Stephen Anderson, though McKitty played just 52 percent of the team's offensive snaps compared to Anderson's 78 percent share. McKitty, however, was more involved in the passing game, seeing three targets to Anderson's one. Parham remains on injured reserve, so if Cook isn't activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Week 18, McKitty will likely split reps with Anderson once again Sunday versus the Raiders.

McKitty hauled in his only target for four yards during Thursday's overtime loss 34-28 against the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

McKitty, the 2021 third-round pick, saw his first game with over 35 offensive snaps on the season after Donald Parham left early in the game with a serious head injury. The 22-year-old tight end has been extremely underutilized in his rookie year as the Chargers have incredible depth at the tight end position. That being said, if Parham were to miss extended time with his injury, there would be additional opportunities for McKitty and Stephen Anderson to take snaps at tight end. Neither backup figures to see a heavy workload as top option Jared Cook remains active for the Chargers.

McKitty did not catch his only target in Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

This is only the second time McKitty has been targeted all season as he did not play the first six games. The third-string tight end picked up seven yards in last week's game, catching his only target this year. The rookie has been splitting time with Stephen Anderson, with both Jared Cook and Donald Parham far exceeding the aforementioned duo's playing time.

The Chargers selected McKitty in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 97th overall.

EDGE Analysis

McKitty's production in his final collegiate season does not tell the full story. A graduate transfer from Florida State, McKitty latched on at Georgia but was only lightly used in the passing game. He was targeted just 10 times, but he turned those looks into six grabs for 108 yards and a score. At Florida State, McKitty caught 49 passes for 497 yards in an otherwise shaky passing attack. Jared Cook is likely still the starter in Los Angeles, but McKitty's landing spot should put him on the radar in dynasty leagues.