For Jim Harbaugh, the return of star quarterback Justin Herbert to practice for the first time since July 31 after injuring the plantar fascia in his right foot was a moment so uplifting it should have come with the “Voices of Angels.”
Herbert was back slinging the football during seven-on-seven drills. Opting for running shoes over cleats, he moved easily, showing no discomfort or favoring his right foot when planting to throw.
Harbaugh was pleased with Herbert’s return, noting he looked great displaying his arm talent and pinpoint accuracy without any signs of a drop-off.
“I felt like music should be playing. I thought I heard music. Voices of angels, maybe,” Harbaugh said. “It felt great. He looked great with a capital G. No drop-off, pinpoint accuracy, really good.”
Concerns about potential chemistry issues from his two-week absence seemed to be put to rest quickly. His timing with receivers on short, intermediate and deep routes appeared smooth, not missing a beat.
Although he has yet to return to full-team drills, his comeback comes just days after his walking boot was removed, a step that Harbaugh noted as great progress.
The Chargers had been saying Herbert would be ready for their regular-season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 8. His first day back makes that seem promising.
Herbert’s return also created roster adjustments. Max Duggan, a seventh-round draft pick last season, was waived. He began training camp as the third-string quarterback but saw limited action in the preseason.
He played briefly in the first game, a 16-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but did not take the field against the Rams, despite Harbaugh indicating earlier in the week that Duggan, Easton Stick and Luis Perez would all see playing time. Against Seattle, Duggan completed four of seven passes for 41 yards.
During his rookie season, Duggan alternated between the practice squad and the active roster but did not appear in any regular-season games.
He led Texas Christian to the 2022 College Football Playoff, defeating Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines in the Fiesta Bowl before falling to Georgia in the national championship game.
Perez was signed on Aug. 7 and his rise made Duggan and recently released Casey Bauman expendable. Perez had been getting more snaps in Herbert’s absence, and to Harbaugh’s liking was pushing No. 2 quarterback Stick.
In the Chargers’ 13-9 loss to the Rams, Stick completed eight of 13 passes for 85 yards, with an interception in the end zone and a fumble at the one.-yard line. Perez completed 13 of 20 passes for 78 yards and also lost a fumble.
Harbaugh said Stick will start Saturday in their preseason finale at Dallas.
Etc.
The Chargers also waived wide receiver Leon Johnson on Monday, making room for two additions. Linebacker Frank Ginda and safety Jalyn Phillips were signed. Ginda played with the Michigan Panthers in the UFL in 2024 and in the USFL from 2022 to 2023. In 2023, Ginda was the USFL defensive player of the year. Phillips signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson in May, but had been waived Thursday to make room for the addition of defensive lineman Teair Tart.
