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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. The team announced on Thursday that Herbert will need to wear a walking boot for two weeks. After this period, he will follow a “gradual return to play protocol” and should be ready for Week 1 of the season.
Harbaugh’s Comments on Team Preparations
Following Thursday’s practice, head coach Jim Harbaugh referred to the team’s statement when asked about Herbert’s status, saying he had “no update.” Despite the injury, Harbaugh emphasized that the team’s preparations are continuing as planned. He said, “He’s not on the field, in practice, but in the meeting room, still in the training environment, that chemistry that rapport you build with those position players, with his teammates, that continues.”
Herbert appeared to be moving without any issues during the first week of training camp. He even ran into the end zone for a touchdown during an 11-on-11 drill on Wednesday, making the news of his injury unexpected.
When questioned about whether the injury happened during practice or if Herbert had been experiencing foot pain beforehand, Harbaugh said he didn’t have that information.
Backup Quarterbacks’ Struggles in Practice
Herbert has been a reliable starter for the Chargers, playing in 62 consecutive games before a fracture in his right index finger in Week 14 of last season ended his streak. His backup, Easton Stick, along with Max Duggan and Casey Bauman, struggled in Thursday’s practice, with Duggan throwing a pick-six to rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still.
Coach Harbaugh praised the defense, stating, “It was a very good day for the defense. And the offense, yeah, just keep chipping away.” The Chargers will need to adjust as they continue training camp without their starting quarterback.
This report used information from ESPN.
