Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass during practice at the training camp as he prepares for a cameo appearance in a preseason game. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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The Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Hebert will break ground when he takes a preseason snap on Saturday.
Herbert, who hasn’t seen the field in his first five years during the preseason, will work against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
His stint will be abbreviated, with Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh speculating that Herbert will take snaps for a series or two.
L.A.’s original plan with Herbert was to trot him out briefly in their preseason game last week against the New Orleans Saints.
But in that game’s run-up, the Chargers lost standout left tackle Rashawn Slater (knee) for the season, which gave them pause in exposing Herbert with a makeshift line protecting him.
Herbert missed last year’s preseason as he battled a foot injury, and during former-coach Brandon Staley’s tenure, he never risked the reward of seeing Herbert unleash his powerful right arm.
During Herbert’s 2001 rookie season, Covid-19 wiped away any chances for anyone to take play.
That all changes this weekend when the Chargers (2-0) face their landlord, their Rams (1-0). And it was Herbert pushing to play that swayed Harbaugh.
“I wanted to go out there and see the pas rush,’’ Herbert told reporters. ”In practice as a quarterback, you don’t always get the true feeling of a pass rush so I thought it will be helpful.”
Herbert, according to Pro Football Reference, landed in the top five last season in quarterback hits (62) and blitzes faced (156), while being sacked 41 times.
Harbaugh is on board with Herbert breaking a sweat in a preseason game, but with his fingers crossed. L.A.’s camp has been compromised with the loss of Slater and the retirement of wide receiver Mike Williams.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen walks off the field after a win over the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game. Allen is expected to play Saturday against the L.A. Rams. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin- Oncea) Ra
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Keenan Allen, the most productive receiver in franchise history, rejoined the team as a free agent to lessen the blow of Williams’ departure. That will give Herbert a familiar face to aim for in his short appearance.
“We can call a route and he’s going to find a way to make it work,’’ an appreciative Herbert said. ”There’s a level of comfort throwing to him just knowing that he’s got such a great feel.”
Herbert is coming off a solid season in which he completed nearly 66 percent of his passes and threw for 23 touchdowns and 3,870 yards, with just three interceptions in leading L.A. to the playoffs.
After Herbert, the Chargers will turn to Trey Lawrence and Taylor Heinicke to face the Rams.
Harbaugh said most of the starters will play, save outside linebacker Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James Jr.