Tyrell Williams, a second-year pro, has seen extra work with the first-team offense in Stevie Johnson's absence.

Williams also worked heavily with the ones when a hamstring injury limited Travis Benjamin this spring. Benjamin seems back to full strength this training camp, running at full speed opposite Keenan Allen.

This falls right in line with news items we had yesterday right after Johnson went down. Williams is a bit of an unknown but has been taking advantage of injuries as far back as spring. The story also mentioned Dontrelle Inman as seeing plenty of wide-receiver reps in the early going of camp.

Keenan Allen got open fast and snatched passes, seven months after a lacerated kidney ended his season. If health allows, the 24-year-old looks on the verge of commanding a huge contract.

"Keenan Allen is bigger than I thought," said Chargers newcomer Dwight Lowery, a safety in his ninth season.

Allen racked up 67 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns in eight games, so he was on pace for a 134-1550-8 season prior to lacerating his kidney. At the halfway mark, he was the #7 receiver in standard formats and #4 in PPR. He garnered 11.1 targets per game, but that number could decline a bit since Antonio Gates sat out four of those games. However, Allen saw 30 targets in three games with Gates, and in the third game (five targets), he only played 60% of the snaps due to the injured kidney. Given his usage, the fourth-year receiver a threat to finish as a WR1 in 2016.

The day has arrived when Keenan Allen rejoins teammates for the start of the Chargers’ voluntary workout program. Phase one of a nine-week regimen features two weeks of strength and conditioning. Allen will be a full participant Monday, the injury that ended a banner season mid-breath well behind him.

He lacerated his kidney Nov. 1 on that touchdown in Baltimore.

The ailment ended his season but not before eight games from which he can build.

“Just try to dominate,” Allen said, “knowing that I can dominate the league like I did last year for those eight games. Hopefully, I can come back and do that for a full 16. … I feel 100 percent. I have no aches, no pains. The kidney healed up really well. I’ve just been working. Ready.”

Allen racked up 67 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns in eight games, so he was on pace for a 134-1550-8 season prior to lacerating his kidney. At the halfway mark, he was the #7 receiver in standard formats and #4 in PPR. He garnered 11.1 targets per game, but that number could decline a bit since Antonio Gates sat out four of those games. However, Allen saw 30 targets in three games with Gates, and in the third game (five targets), he only played 60% of the snaps due to the injured kidney. Given his usage, the fourth-year receiver a threat to finish as a WR1 in 2016.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Chargers wideout Keenan Allen has a lacerated kidney, per two sources.

The Chargers have ended his season, placing him on IR.

It's a huge blow to the offense that was struggling to run the ball this season behind rookie Melvin Gordon. A lot was falling on QB Philip Rivers' shoulders, and it's likely to stay that way despite not having his top target the rest of the year. Stevie Johnson and Malcom Floyd will see increased work at receiver, but the team could now really turn to TEs Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green, with RB Danny Woodhead likely continuing to be a key part of the passing game as well. Dontrelle Inman and Jacoby Jones are next up on the depth chart at WR. Inman will play much more than Jones.

The Chargers will be without Keenan Allen for "some time," coach Mike McCoy announced Monday.

Allen suffered a kidney injury Sunday when he landed hard at the end of a 13-yard touchdown catch in a 29-26 loss to the Ravens. The wide receiver traveled back from Baltimore to San Diego after the game with the team, but his symptoms worsened as the night progressed. He was checked into a San Diego hospital.

Obviously a huge blow to this offense and to QB Philip Rivers. Stevie Johnson, Malcom Floyd, Dontrelle Inman and Jacoby Jones will have to pick up the slack at WR. The team could also turn to TEs Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green, when healthy. Danny Woodhead should continue to be a force in the passing game from the RB position.

The most significant injury was to leading receiver Keenan Allen, who appeared to reinjure a hip flexor at the end of the first half on a 13-yard touchdown catch and did not return. The Chargers announced that Allen was suffering from muscle spasms.

Another report speculated it was a shoulder. But the team announced it was the back spasms that kept out Allen. With his Week 9 status up in the air, keep in mind the team has a Week 10 bye.