In the race for the U-T's highly coveted Chargers Training Camp MVP award, several candidates have emerged. Keenan Allen, who has lost weight and is moving well, is the early leader. He has made a wide variety of plays, such as a touchdown catch Wednesday, off a fade against Jason Verrett. Several others are having a strong camp, incuding Stevie Johnson, Verrett, Branden Oliver and Melvin Ingram.

Allen was a victim of the “sophomore slump,” finishing #46 in standard formats after a #17 finish as a rookie in 2013. He has lost some weight in order to increase his speed and quickness, so that he can better deal with the attention he’s going to receive as his team’s top receiver. He’s also taking his preparation more seriously, per reports. We’re expecting Allen to bounce back in his third year, but it may be a stretch to expect a return to the heights of his rookie season.

Chargers beat writer Eric D. Williams feels WR Keenan Allen will benefit from the loss of Eddie Royal and see more time out of the slot.

Williams feels Allen has short-area quickness and will be able to move around more to create miss-matches. The Chargers also signed Stevie Johnson who can play the slot, but Williams thinks Allen benefit the most. Allen started off his sophomore season slowly after being a second-tier fantasy WR last summer, but did show signs of his successful 2013 rookie year later in the 2014 season.

Philip Rivers practiced on Tuesday this week, a sign that his back is in better shape heading into Sunday’s final regular-season game against AFC West rival Kansas City.

Rivers did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday of last week in order to rest a bulging disk in his back. Chargers head coach Mike McCoy said earlier this week Rivers is expected to play on Sunday.

“I definitely feel better than last week,” Rivers said.

Rivers said last week that he had to take the time off so that he could physically be ready to play against San Francisco. But that’s not the case this week. Rivers may be a go for Week 17, but as of Tuesday RB Ryan Mathews and WR Keenan Allen remain question marks.

The Chargers began preparation for Sunday's showdown with the Chiefs minus two of their offensive centerpieces.

Running back Ryan Mathews and wideout Keenan Allen both missed Tuesday's practice, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.

Mathews hasn't played since injuring his ankle in Week 14, while Allen remains week-to-week with the broken collarbone he sustained in a Week 15 loss to the Broncos. While coach Mike McCoy says it's possible Mathews will suit up Sunday against the Chiefs, it's fair to wonder if Allen will even play again this season, the story went on to say. Eddie Royal seemed to benefit the most without Allen in the lineup as did TE Antonio Gates. Dontrelle Inman also had a nice game at WR for the Chargers last week.

Chargers Inactives
Keenan Allen WR
Ryan Carrethers DT
Greg Ducre DB
Cordarro Law DE
Ryan Mathews RB
Mike Scifres P
Damion Square DE

Malcom Floyd, Eddie Royal and Seyi Ajirotutu will see a bump with Allen sidelined. Ajirotutu played 62 percent of the snaps in Week 15, which was the first time all year that he cracked the 35 percent mark. Floyd and Royal seem to be the best fantasy bets, however. With Mathews sidelined last week, Branden Oliver led the team in touches (16) and yards (70), but Donald Brown actually played more snaps due to his role in the passing game.