LA Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was sidelined over two weeks ago after being placed in a walking boot due to a plantar fascia injury that initially raised concerns about his availability for the regular season. These types of injuries can be unpredictable and often take longer to heal than expected.
Initially, the Chargers were confident that Herbert would be ready for the season opener. However, the thought of him playing on a painful and compromised plant foot was a major concern for Chargers fans, especially given that Herbert had played through injuries in the past two seasons.
Fortunately, the walking boot was removed on time after two weeks, and Herbert made significant progress on Monday. The star quarterback returned to practice, showing no signs of having missed a beat.
Justin Herbert practicing for the first time since July pic.twitter.com/HGYmytzg3x
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 19, 2024
Justin Herbert’s return to practice is a promising sign for his injury recovery timeline. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper shared videos of Herbert practicing without pads, showcasing his usual elite footwork during dropbacks. If you weren’t aware of his foot injury, you wouldn’t have guessed he was hurt, as he moved at full speed with no apparent limitations.
This development is a huge relief for Chargers fans, who had valid concerns despite the initial optimism about Herbert’s readiness for the regular season. The Chargers have struggled with injury luck in the past, and there were fears that Herbert’s performance could have been compromised or that his injury might worsen, similar to Antonio Gates’ torn plantar fascia in 2010.
With just under three weeks until the season opener, Herbert appears to be pain-free and on track to return to form. The Chargers have taken a cautious approach, and Herbert’s early return to practice suggests that there are no significant lingering issues. While there’s still some uncertainty, this is a significant positive step for the team, potentially easing many of the worries from recent weeks. Nonetheless, it might be wise for the Chargers to consider strengthening their backup quarterback position as a precaution.
