Steelers Week 3 Opponent, Chargers QB Justin Herbert Suffers Foot Injury

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot following Wednesday’s practice. Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot, followed by a graduated return to play protocol, with the expectation that he will be ready for the start of the regular season, the team announced on Thursday. The Steelers are scheduled to play the Chargers in Week 3.

It appears that Justin Herbert will be healthy for the start of the season, but his right foot injury will be something to keep an eye on for the Steelers’ Sept. 22 matchup against the Chargers at Acrisure Stadium.

Derrick Bell of Steelers Now has Herbert ranked as the third-best quarterback on the Steelers’ schedule in 2024, behind only Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Herbert torched the Steelers defense for 382 yards and three touchdowns in the Chargers’ 41-37 shootout win in 2021 at SoFi Stadium, which was the last meeting between the two teams.

The Chargers have a new regime now with Jim Harbaugh as the head man. The hiring of Harbaugh suggests that the Chargers will have a more balanced attack. Under Brandon Staley, L.A. was often pass-happy with Herbert, and his production decreased.

After posting passer ratings of 98.3 and 97.7 in his first two years, Herbert regressed in 2022 and 2023, leading to the firing of Staley.

The Steelers hired former Akron head coach and Chargers pass-game coordinator Tom Arth as quarterbacks coach this offseason. Arth, 42, comes to the Steelers after two seasons as pass game specialist for the Chargers, where he helped work with Herbert. Before that, he had a long tenure as a college head coach.

The Steelers’ season-opener is against the Falcons in Atlanta on Sept. 8. They then face the Denver Broncos at Mile High in Week 2. The game against the Chargers in Week 3 is the Steelers’ home opener.