Herbert will hopefully be OK after injuring his leg in Week 2 at Carolina, but even if he plays in Week 3 at Pittsburgh, he will once again be tough to trust in one-quarterback leagues. Through two games against the Raiders and Chargers, Herbert has combined for just 27.4 Fantasy points, and he has yet to top 145 passing yards in any contest. The Steelers have yet to face a prolific quarterback in two outings against Kirk Cousins and Bo Nix, but Pittsburgh has also allowed just one touchdown in two games. Herbert is just a low-end starter in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Misses practice
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Herbert (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.
Herbert had a "significant limp" after Sunday's 26-3 win over the Panthers, although he didn't miss any snaps after injuring his ankle in the third quarter, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. Coach Jim Harbaugh declined to comment on Herbert's chances of playing this Sunday at Pittsburgh, merely saying that Herbert is already "feeling much better" and Easton Stick is the next man up to start at QB.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Not seen at practice
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Herbert (ankle) wasn't spotted during the initial portion of Wednesday's practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Per Popper, Herbert's current ankle issue is on the same side (right) as the plantar fascia injury that the QB dealt with in training camp. Meanwhile Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports that coach Jim Harbaugh noted that Herbert was feeling a lot better Wednesday, while acknowledging that Easton Stick would be in line to fill in Sunday against the Steelers if Herbert doesn't progress enough this week to be available for the contest.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Dealing with ankle injury
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Herbert (ankle) will be listed on Wednesday's injury report and may not be a full participant in practice, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
X-rays on Herbert's lower right leg Monday were negative, but it looks like he did pick up an ankle injury during Los Angeles' 26-3 win over the Panthers in Week 2. The franchise quarterback suffered the injury in the third quarter, but he was able to finish the contest after getting taped up. At this juncture, there's not yet any indication that Herbert is dealing with an injury that could impact his availability Sunday versus the Steelers, but it's possible his effectiveness as a runner could be hampered. Herbert's official practice level Wednesday will provide more clarity on his health.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: X-rays come up negative
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Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that X-rays on Herbert's right leg were negative, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Harbaugh said Los Angeles will know more about Herbert's status as the week progresses, but for now it's encouraging that the franchise quarterback at least has avoided a fracture. It's worth noting that Monday's imaging results don't dismiss the possibility of a soft-tissue injury for Herbert, who got rolled up on in the third quarter of Sunday's win over the Panthers but quickly managed to retake the field. The Chargers have Easton Stick and Taylor Heinicke available behind Herbert heading into a Week 3 matchup against the Steelers.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Gets X-rays on leg
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Herbert said after Sunday's 26-3 win over the Panthers that he underwent X-rays on his lower right leg after the contest, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Herbert, who was able to finish the contest after getting taped up, indicated that he "got rolled up" on after a fumble in the third quarter. In terms of how the injury might affect his status for the Chargers' Week 3 matchup with the Steelers, Herbert said that he would "know more in the next couple of days." Herbert completed 14 of 20 pass attempts for 130 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while adding 18 yards on six carries.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Plays game-manager role in win
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Herbert completed 14 of 20 passes for 130 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding six carries for 18 yards in the Chargers' 26-3 win over the Panthers on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Through two games, Herbert is probably close to unrecognizable to fantasy managers who frequently benefitted from his gaudy yardage totals over his first four seasons. With the Chargers able to stick to head coach Jim Harbaugh's preferred method of winning a game -- that being through a punishing ground attack and sound defense -- Herbert has attempted just 43 passes through two weeks. However, he did reward those rolling with him in their lineups Sunday by tossing a pair of touchdown passes to Quentin Johnston of 29 and five yards in the first half. Herbert also visited the blue medical tent after a hard hit briefly in the third quarter, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, but he quickly returned to the game. Next up for Herbert and the Chargers is a challenging and second straight cross-country road trip, as Los Angeles will face off with the Steelers in Week 3.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Hardly needed in win
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Herbert completed 17 of 26 pass attempts for 144 yards and a touchdown in the 22-10 win over the Raiders on Sunday. He also ran the ball four times for six yards.
The Chargers tallied just two total first downs in the first half, its fewest in a half since 2012, as the team seemed content scrapping out yards on the ground. The heavy emphasis on the rushing attack finally paid off in the second half as J.K. Dobbins tore through Las Vegas' defense, opening up a bit of passing room for Herbert. A complete dud of a fantasy day was saved by a short touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey in the waning moments of the game as the defense completely sold out to stop the run. The Chargers could deploy a similar game plan next week against a seemingly hapless Panthers team.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Another full practice Thursday
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Herbert (foot) was listed as a full practice participant Thursday.
Wednesday's initial injury report didn't include Herbert's name, but that has been amended to note that the QB practiced fully through a listed foot issue. That said, Herbert -- who was diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot July 31 -- indicated Wednesday that he's back to 100 percent, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, the Chargers' franchise QB relayed that he isn't wearing any special kind of cleat or sole to support his foot, adding that managing the injury throughout the season is "not really on (his) mind right now." In any case, Herbert is poised to start Sunday's regular-season opener against the Raiders.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Not on injury report
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Herbert (foot) wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report.
A few weeks of rest seem to have allowed Herbert to move past his plantar fascia injury. The quarterback returning to practice Aug. 19, and now that he's participating without limitations, he'll be ready to direct the offense Sunday versus the Raiders. The fact he isn't even listed on the injury report suggests Herbert will have his usual mobility Sunday in his first game under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Wideout DJ Chark (hip) is the only significant injury concern for the Chargers offense, and even he may be more of an ancillary piece than a regular starter.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Looking good in 7-on-7s
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Coach Jim Harbaugh said Herbert (foot) "looked great with a capital G" during 7-on-7 drills Monday, ESPN.com reports.
Herbert was held out of 11-on-11s in his first practice since being diagnosed July 31 with a plantar fascia injury. He used a walking boot for two weeks and is now progressing through what the Chargers are calling a 'gradual return to play' protocol. Herbert should be ready for a Week 1 home game against the Raiders, but it's fair to wonder if the foot injury will impact his mobility or become a problem again as the season progresses.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Out of walking boot
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Herbert worked out in the weight room without a walking boot while the Chargers practiced Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Herbert was expected to require the walking boot for about two weeks as he tended to a plantar fascia injury, and he reached the two-week mark Thursday, so he's seemingly on course in his recovery. There's also an expectation that he'll be ready for a Week 1 matchup with the Raiders, meaning his next notable step will be getting back on the practice field in some capacity. While Herbert continues his rehab, the Chargers will entrust the offense in Easton Stick, a 2019 fifth-round pick with 175 passes in six games on his NFL resume.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Hot start to OTAs
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Herbert (finger) has impressed early in OTAs during 11-on-11 drills and is already demonstrating a connection with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Herbert looks fully recovered from the finger injury that cost him the final four games of 2023, and after losing both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (knee) this offseason, it's encouraging to see him already establishing trust with McConkey. Even with new coach Jim Harbaugh installing a run-heavy scheme, Herbert should still provide strong passing numbers working with McConkey and returning wideouts Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston. The addition of No. 5 overall pick Joe Alt, who's started at right tackle throughout OTAs, also promises more protection for Herbert, which should ease any adjustment to a new offensive philosophy.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Moves to IR, out for season
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The Chargers announced that Herbert will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a fracture to his right index finger and has been placed on injured reserve.
Confirming what Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and others reported minutes earlier, Herbert will miss the rest of the season after having surgery to address the injury he suffered in the second quarter of this past Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Broncos. Herbert should be back to full health by the start of OTAs in the spring, but he'll wrap up his fourth season in Los Angeles with a 65.1 percent completion rate for 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions to go with 52 carries for 228 yards and three more scores over his 13 appearances. Easton Stick will take over as the Chargers' starting quarterback beginning with Thursday's game in Las Vegas. Max Duggan, a 2023 seventh-round pick out of TCU, is likely to be promoted from the practice squad to back up Stick.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Procedure on finger likely
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Herbert is reportedly likely to undergo a procedure Tuesday to address his fractured right index finger, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Per the report, whether Herbert will have a chance to return to action this season will be determined by the anticipated procedure. Further details from the Chargers likely will emerge regarding the QB's status, but Schefter reported earlier Monday that Herbert isn't expected to play Thursday night against the Raiders. Easton Stick is next up for the team's signal-caller duties for any length of time Herbert misses.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Fractures finger on throwing hand
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Coach Brandon Staley said after Sunday's 24-7 loss to the Broncos that Herbert has a fractured index finger on his right hand, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Herbert dealt with an injured finger on his left, non-throwing hand earlier this season, but an injured finger on his throwing hand will be harder to navigate. Easton Stick replaced Herbert in the first half of the loss to the Broncos. The Chargers will be on a short week before facing the Raiders on Thursday, and Stick would likely get the start if Herbert isn't ready to play by then. Per Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times, Herbert will undergo additional tests Monday, and surgery may be needed to address the injury.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Ruled out of Sunday's game
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Herbert won't return to Sunday's game against the Broncos due to a right finger injury.
Herbert previously dealt with a fractured middle finger on his non-throwing hand this season, but his new concern impacts his throwing hand. Considering he's been ruled out this time around, his status now will need to be monitored to get a sense of his availability for Thursday's game at Las Vegas and beyond. For the time being, Herbert will yield quarterback duties for the Chargers to Easton Stick.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Hurts finger Sunday
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Herbert exited Sunday's game against the Broncos due to a finger injury.
Before sustaining his finger injury, Herbert completed nine of 17 pass attempts for 96 yards and a pick. In his absence, Easton Stick is in at quarterback for the Chargers.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: QBs to Start
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The matchup with the Broncos is tough, and Herbert has struggled of late with three games in his past five outings with fewer than 16 Fantasy points. But I have a feeling Herbert shows up in this game at home. Despite not having much home-field advantage in Los Angeles, Herbert has scored at least 22.8 Fantasy points in five of six games at home this season. He's also making plays with his legs of late, rushing for 47 yards in two of his past three outings. It might not be one of his best outings, but Hebert will be the first quarterback to crack 20 Fantasy points against Denver since Week 4.
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Chargers' Justin Herbert: Contrarian DFS Play
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The Broncos have been very good against the pass as of late, but Herbert is too talented to be as low priced and low rostered as he's going to be in this game. Stack him up with Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler, bring it back with Courtland Sutton, and you can go chalk everywhere else.
