Why isn't Justin Herbert playing for the Chargers against the Rams? Los Angeles QB's injury status

Justin Herbert has always been something of an enigma when it comes to preseason football. The young quarterback, who has dazzled Los Angeles Chargers fans with his arm and poise, has never taken a snap in a preseason game. It’s a curious fact, one that leaves fans both eager and nervous each August. The pandemic wiped out the 2020 preseason, and under former head coach Brandon Staley, the Chargers’ starters, including Herbert, were kept in bubble wrap during the exhibition games from 2021 to 2023. But here we are in 2024, with a new coach in Jim Harbaugh, and fans wondering if this might finally be the year we see Herbert under center before the regular season kicks off.

Well, that was the hope—until a pesky foot injury decided to crash the party. Herbert was diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot, something that no quarterback, especially one as important to his team as Herbert, wants to hear. The diagnosis was enough to get him fitted with a walking boot, effectively putting all football activities on hold. If there’s anything that can halt the anticipation of seeing your franchise quarterback in action, it’s the sight of him hobbling around in one of those clunky boots.

Still, there was a glimmer of hope that Herbert might shake off the injury in time to get a few snaps in preseason. Chargers fans clung to that hope when it was reported that Herbert had shed the boot just two days before the Chargers were set to face the Rams in their next preseason game. The optimism in the air was palpable—maybe, just maybe, this would be the night Herbert finally breaks his preseason duck.

But hold your horses, Chargers fans. As it turns out, that walking boot might be gone, but Herbert won’t be suiting up against the Rams on Saturday. In fact, barring a sudden change in plans, it looks like Herbert won’t be playing at all during the preseason. The reason is simple: the Chargers are taking no chances with their star quarterback.

The plan for Herbert has been laid out with military precision. Two weeks in the walking boot, followed by a carefully managed “graduated return-to-play” process. Thursday marked the end of those two weeks, and while Herbert might be moving around more freely, that doesn’t mean he’s ready to face a live pass rush just yet. The Chargers are playing it safe, ensuring that when Week 1 rolls around, Herbert is as close to 100% as possible.

Of course, this cautious approach might leave some fans feeling a bit antsy. After all, it’s a new offense under Harbaugh, and the idea of Herbert getting some live reps before the games start to count sounds like a good one. But the risk, even in a preseason setting, isn’t worth it. Practice reps will have to suffice, and that’s a trade-off the Chargers are willing to make to keep Herbert healthy.

So, instead of watching Herbert sling passes under the lights, fans will have to settle for the likes of Easton Stick and the rest of the backup brigade. It might not be the most exciting football to watch, but it’s a necessary evil. Herbert’s not out of the woods yet with that foot injury, and the Chargers need to be sure that if their franchise QB can’t go, they have someone capable of holding down the fort. In the end, it’s all about the long game, and if that means a few more weeks of keeping Herbert on the sidelines, then so be it.