Franchise quarterback Justin Herbert is now wearing a walking boot due to an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot, but the chargers remain hopeful that operations will continue as normal until Herbert’s expected return.
Hopeful.
Unfortunately for the Chargers, this type of foot injury — in this case, to the quarterback’s planted foot while throwing — can be unpredictable. O Chargers open regular season at home against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 8.
The team is following the recommendations of doctors, who have provided a two-week re-examination schedule to assess the next steps for Herbert’s return. During Thursday’s practice, Herbert was seen in the weight room with a boot on his right foot.
Meanwhile, Easton Stick is the next man up. A fifth-round pick in 2019, he was the No. 3 quarterback before being elevated to No. 2 last season behind Herbert.
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He started the last four games, all losses, after Herbert underwent season-ending middle finger surgery. In five games, he completed 63.8% of his passes, with three touchdowns and one interception.
When Stick took photos of the first team on Thursday, Harbaugh liked what he saw. He noted that the quarterback’s performance was consistent with what he saw during camp.
“He attacks everything he does,” Harbaugh said. “The way he conducts his business is always excellent.”
Now the coaching staff’s job is to get Herbert back on the field. The injury was diagnosed Wednesday night, Harbaugh said, but he did not know when the injury might have occurred.
Harbaugh repeated what he said the other day about not wanting to do any medical evaluation, leaving it to the medical team. “I’m not qualified to diagnose,” he said.
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Harbaugh said Herbert’s absence would not affect the offense’s preparation for the season, adding that when Herbert is not on the field, he is in the film room, meeting rooms and training rooms with his teammates, where the necessary chemistry is still there. being built.
“Preparation continues. We are full steam ahead,” Harbaugh said.
The same goes for Stick, who has Max Duggan and Casey Bauman behind him on the depth chart. At times during Thursday’s practice, Stick demonstrated arm strength, making some intermediate passes to completions.
His highlight was a dart thrown to Joshua Palmer in the post, thrown perfectly where only the receiver could reach it.
Stick will get first-team snaps when the Rams It is Chargers hold a joint training session on Sunday in El Segundo. The first preseason game will be the following Saturday at home against the Seattle Seahawks.
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
