Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert underwent labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in January 2023. Here are the latest injury updates we have on Herbert.
Latest Justin Herbert Injury Update
Per Chargers insider Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Herbert said “the plan” is for him to participate in the 7-on-7 drills portion of OTAs this week.
That injury wasn’t fully disclosed until after he already had surgery once the team’s offseason started. The Chargers listed Herbert on their Week 18 injury report for an unspecified left shoulder injury, and he was sacked once during the game. Herbert was a full practice participant that week, then went on to play in the Chargers’ 31-30 Wild Card Round loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In April, Herbert felt his left shoulder was “about 75% healed,” and he hadn’t started throwing yet. By May 15, Herbert was seen throwing in drills at Chargers practice.
Between Week 18 and the AFC Wild Card game, Herbert completed 50 of 80 passes for 546 yards and three touchdowns. If his shoulder was affecting his performance, it was hard to tell on the field.
Who Will Handle Chargers QB Duties If Herbert Is Limited?
With Herbert already throwing, much of the conversation around the fourth-year quarterback has been around his looming contract extension. Herbert said he’s “more concerned” about rehabbing his shoulder than a new deal, but that’s because he can only control so much.
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Herbert estimated he’d be fully healthy for the start of training camp in late July, meaning Los Angeles has to keep extra quarterbacks around to help keep Herbert fresh. The worst thing that can happen is for Herbert to suffer a setback because he’s throwing too often while recovering.
The Chargers have backup quarterback Easton Stick on a one-year contract and drafted former TCU standout Max Duggan in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Veteran backup Chase Daniel retired after the 2022 season.
Stick has thrown only one pass since entering the NFL in 2019, completing the attempt for four yards. He was a rushing threat in college at North Dakota State but has seen few opportunities to play since being drafted in the fifth round by the Chargers.