Chargers’ Herbert Has Foot Injury – This is definitely not the way the Chargers wanted to bring in their new coach. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot after practice on Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks, the team announced Thursday.
Herbert will be placed in a walking boot during that time. The team has high hope and indicated that the expectation is Herbert will be ready to play in Week 1 of the regular season. The Chargers open at home against Antonio Pierce and their division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday night that Herbert was diagnosed on Wednesday evening.
This is a tough setback for the Chargers as they attempt to put the baggage of last season’s dismal 5-12 record behind them with a new head coach in Harbaugh, mastering a new offensive system with an abundance of new faces on the roster, especially at the receiver position. They must press forward nonetheless, Harbaugh said.
“Full steam ahead,” Harbaugh said, via Alex Insdorf. “The preparation, the work continues. He’s not on the field in the practice, but he’s in the meeting room, the training environment.”
Herbert was an iron man under center, starting 62 consecutive games and had not missed a game due to injury in the NFL prior to suffering a season-ending finger injury in December, sitting out the Chargers’ final four games in 2023, all losses.
In four NFL seasons, Herbert has completed 66.6% of his passes and thrown for 17,223 yards, 114 touchdowns and only 42 interceptions, also using his wheels and rushing for 911 yards and 11 more scores.
The Chargers currently have three other unproven quarterbacks on their 90-man roster: 2019 fifth-round pick Easton Stick, 2023 seventh-rounder Max Duggan and undrafted rookie Casey Bauman from Augustana College. Stick saw his only extended NFL action last season as Herbert’s replacement, starting the final four games and throwing for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. He also had butterfingers, fumbling five times, losing four of them.
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Titans WR Hopkins Out 4-6 Weeks – Former Clemson standout wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has sustained an injury in training camp that will cost him several weeks.
Hopkins, the Tennessee Titans wide receiver, is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a knee injury that he suffered in practice. Despite the significant setback, ESPN reports that the team is optimistic he could return in time for the September 8 season opener against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.
Hopkins was spotted donning a wrap on his left leg during an individual period early on in Titans practice Wednesday. He took part in practice Wednesday prior to leaving the field early with director of sports medicine Todd Toriscelli.
The Titans had an off day on Thursday, and Friday’s practice is closed to media.
Hopkins, a five-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler became a member of the Titans in 2023 and made an impact right away on the field and in the locker room with 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. With an impressive career spanning 11 years, Hopkins has hauled in 928 catches for 12,355 yards and 78 touchdowns across stints with the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and now the Titans. Tennessee will lean on third-year receiver Treylon Burks to take the first-team reps in place of Hopkins.
As the Titans prepare for the new season, they will eagerly anticipate Hopkins’ return to bolster their offensive lineup.
