‘Improving’ Justin Herbert misses Chargers’ first practice ahead of Steelers game
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert missed practice Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury during Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers.
Herbert “got rolled up on” during the 26-3 victory, but he was able to finish the game, throwing for 130 yards on 14-of-20 passing with two touchdowns and one interception.
After the team’s off day in Charlotte, N.C., where the Chargers are training for one week before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Herbert told head coach Jim Harbaugh he was “feeling much better” during a meeting Wednesday morning at the team hotel, Harbaugh said.
If the 26-year-old is unable to play Sunday, Easton Stick would be in line to start, Harbaugh said Wednesday. But outlining a specific backup plan is “going to be way over the legal limit of ‘what ifs,’” Harbaugh added.
Stick struggled during the preseason when Herbert sat out of all three games with a plantar fascia injury. He completed just 45.5% of his passes during the three preseason games with one touchdown and three interceptions.
J.K. Dobbins became the first Charger to start a season with two 100-yard rushing performances, the latest leading to a rout of the Carolina Panthers.
His shaky performance necessitated the addition of Taylor Heinicke after training camp, but the nine-year veteran has been inactive for the two games while serving as the emergency third quarterback.
It wouldn’t be the first time Stick has stepped in for an injured Herbert. The North Dakota State alumnus started four games last season after Herbert broke a finger on his throwing hand.
“One hundred percent trust,” receiver Quentin Johnston said of Stick. “Easton was here day in, day out, still getting reps with ones and twos so I feel like me as well as everybody else, we got a lot of trust.”
Johnston is emerging from a receivers group in need of a go-to option after Keenan Allen and Mike Williams left as salary-cap casualties. The second-year pro out of Texas Christian leads the Chargers with eight catches for 89 yards.
He hauled in two touchdowns against the Panthers, matching his touchdown number from a rookie season that more remember for his mistakes than his successes.
“Maybe nobody [I’m] more excited for than Quentin Johnston,” Harbaugh said after Sunday’s game. “Everybody on the team really likes Q and loves him, respects him. I think probably most of all because he’s kind of been picked on by a lot of people, and it doesn’t faze him. He just keeps doing him.”
With high expectations as the 21st overall pick, Johnston had a quiet 38 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. He admits the lowlights of his first season overshadowed the glimpses of production.
He was haunted — and motivated — by a dropped fourth-quarter pass in Week 11 that could have put the Chargers in position to at least attempt a game-tying field goal against the Green Bay Packers.
“Proving myself,” Johnston said of his offseason focus. “Just working on the details, knowing that I’m a good enough football player to be in this league. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
The 6-foot-4 Texas native is starting to show the potential that made him a star at TCU. He led the Horned Frogs in receiving for three consecutive years, including a standout freshman campaign in 2020 when he set the Big 12 record for yards per catch (22.1) by a true freshman with at least 20 catches.
If the Chargers can beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles would be undefeated when it plays host to the two-time defending champion Chiefs next week.
He reeled in his first touchdown on his second career catch, a 37-yard score in his collegiate debut against Iowa State.
“I just knew from that point forward, he was going to be special,” former TCU teammate Derius Davis said.
Davis, who was drafted in the fourth round by the Chargers last season, commended Johnston’s maturity entering his second pro season. With the collected nature of a seasoned vet, Johnston didn’t bask in the glory of his first multi-touchdown game for long.
When teammates shouted “Q!” as he stepped forward to accept a game ball, Johnston simply told the group he wanted to “put one foot in front of the other and keep going.”
The equipment staff briefly took the ball for final storage preparations before handing it back to Johnston. He allowed himself to smile as he tucked it in his bag. He will celebrate a spot on a shelf at home later.
Etc.
Outside linebacker Joey Bosa doesn’t expect to be hampered by back tightness that flared up last week. Bosa missed two of three practices leading up to last Sunday’s game but played 14 snaps for two tackles and one sack. He said Wednesday he was ready to stay in the game longer, but with the blowout win in hand, he was content to play it safe on the sideline. He was officially listed as limited in Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury. … Safety Alohi Gilman returned to practice as a limited participant after missing last week’s game with a knee injury. … Linebacker Junior Colson (hamstring), wide receiver Joshua Palmer (elbow/calf), outside linebacker Bud Dupree (illness) and cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) did not practice.
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