With just over a month to go until the first Sunday of NFL football, the Los Angeles Chargers announced Thursday that their star QB Justin Herbert has been diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot.
The team downplayed the injury and seemed to believe Herbert would be healthy enough to play week 1 against the Raiders. The following is the team’s official statement, “Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot — followed by a graduated return to play protocol — with the expectation that he will be ready for the start of the regular season.”
Former Charger QB and teammate of Herbert, Chase Daniel, seems to be a bit more uneasy. On the Athletics’ “Scoop City” show he said, “You’re putting all your weight and you’re pushing off; all of your energy comes from that heel and that leg…not a fun feeling, it feels likes there’s a million pins in the bottom of your heel…I think this is a much bigger deal than the Chargers tweet seemed to lead on.”
After the Charger’s practice on Thursday new head coach Jim Harbaugh told the media that there was no further update on Herbert’s injury. He did speak on what Herbert has been up to off the practice field, “The preparation, the work continues…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.” Again this shows little or no concern that this could be a long-term issue.
With that said, injuries to the foot tend to linger, and with not much time left before the season begins, this could be a cause for concern for Los Angeles, especially in such a massive season for the Chargers. Along with, Harbaugh the team hired Greg Roman, who will serve as new offensive coordinator, this offseason. The offense will look completely different in 2024 and without their $262 million man under center, things could get off to a rocky start.
