NFL
Justin Herbert sets off alarm bells with foot injury
The Chargers quarterback suffer a foot injury and will wear a protective boot for the next couple of weeks. He will be gradually reincorporated into the team.
The 2024 NFL season kicks off next month, but there are plenty of concerns for the Los Angeles Chargers. The team announced that quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a foot injury following Wednesday’s practice. After tests, it was confirmed that Herbert is suffering a plantar fasciitis affecting his right foot
The team doctors’ recommendations call for two weeks in a walking boot and a gradual return to activity as the player’s foot heals. The Chargers expect Herbert to be back by Week 1 of the regular season when they host the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium.
Herbert’s injury means coach Jim Harbaugh will have to go into the preseason with Easton Stick, Max Duggan and Casey Bauman at quarterback. The AFC West team will face the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys in the three weeks of preparation.
Herbert’s durability is in doubt
The University of Oregon graduate entered the NFL as the sixth player selected in the 2020 draft. He had a chequered injury history at college level. First a broken collarbone in 2017 against California, followed by another shoulder injury against Oregon State in 2028. Finally, he suffered a knee sprain in 2019.
His first game as a pro was spent on the bench, but he later became the Chargers’ QB1. Sadly, his starting streak was halted at 62 games by a broken finger in Week 14 of the 2023 season. That kept Herbert from playing in the final four games of the year and Brandon Staley had to experiment with Stick.
The Chargers’ start to the new campaign sees them face the Raiders, Panthers, Saints before meeting the champions, the Chiefs in Week 4.