Credit: AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert returned to practice on Monday after being sidelined with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot since July 31.
Harbaugh’s Reaction
Herbert had spent the last two weeks in a walking boot, but the team had anticipated his return in time for Week 1. His recovery followed a “gradual return to play” protocol set by the Chargers’ medical staff.
“It felt great,” coach Jim Harbaugh said when asked what it was like to see his starter back under center. “Felt like music should be playing, I thought I heard music, voices of angels maybe. It felt great.”
Harbaugh has been steadfast, throughout the injury process, that Herbert wouldn’t miss a beat in adapting to a new offense, saying last month that it was still “full steam ahead” without him.
“The preparation, the work continues,” he said at the time. “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.”
Backup Performance
During Herbert’s absence, backup quarterbacks Easton Stick, Max Duggan, and Luis Perez took over. In a 13-9 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, Stick and Perez combined for 160 passing yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Duggan, who played in the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks, completing 4 of 7 passes for 41 yards, was waived by the Chargers on Monday.
Herbert did not participate in full-team drills during Monday’s practice but took several snaps in 7-on-7 drills. Harbaugh noted, “He looked great with a capital G. No drop-off, pinpoint accuracy. He looked really good.”
Herbert has been one of the most durable quarterbacks in the NFL, starting 62 consecutive games before a fracture to his right index finger ended his season in Week 14 last year. Backup Easton Stick finished the season but was unable to secure a win in the final four games.
This report used information from ESPN.
