The status of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert remains uncertain for their crucial Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Earlier this week, Herbert was asked about his ankle injury, and his response didn’t paint a particularly optimistic picture. “It’s not great. It is what it is,” Herbert said. “Doing everything I can to limit the swelling, limit the pain, and just keep things moving forward.”
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was similarly cautious when addressing the media about Herbert’s injury. Known for being tight-lipped about player injuries, Harbaugh didn’t provide much clarity, stating, “Until I know exactly what Justin’s status is, I’m not gonna reveal what the contingencies are.” However, he did mention that Herbert is “doing everything necessary to play,” though this doesn’t guarantee Herbert’s availability for Sunday.
The Chargers are set to face one of the NFL’s top defenses in the Pittsburgh Steelers, and deploying Herbert at less than full strength may not be the wisest course of action. Playing against a defense with the caliber of Pittsburgh’s could put Herbert in jeopardy, especially if his mobility is compromised due to the ankle injury.
Chargers Relying on Their Run Game
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Herbert, the Chargers are off to a solid 2-0 start this season. They kicked off their campaign with a 22-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and followed it up with a 26-3 win against the Carolina Panthers. A key factor in their early success has been their reliance on the running game, a hallmark of Harbaugh’s coaching style.
So far, the Chargers have rushed for an impressive 395 total yards over their first two games. Leading the charge is running back J.K. Dobbins, who has already amassed 266 rushing yards this season. Herbert, in contrast, hasn’t been asked to shoulder much of the offensive load. Over the first two games, he has thrown for a modest 274 yards, which aligns with Harbaugh’s historical preference for a run-first offense. This strategy goes back to Harbaugh’s previous coaching stints at Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers, and the University of Michigan, where ground-and-pound football was often the focal point of his teams’ offensive game plans.
The run-heavy approach has allowed the Chargers to win without needing to rely heavily on Herbert’s arm, which may ease the pressure should he be unavailable for Sunday’s matchup. Even if Herbert is sidelined, Harbaugh’s system is designed to thrive with a strong running game, allowing the team to move forward with their rushing attack regardless of the quarterback situation.
Potential Backup Options
If Herbert is ultimately ruled out, the Chargers will need to turn to one of their backup quarterbacks: Easton Stick or Taylor Heinicke. Stick has been with the Chargers since being drafted in 2019 but has limited experience as a starter. Last season, he appeared in five games, throwing three touchdowns and one interception. However, the team went winless in those games, finishing 0-4 under his leadership.
Taylor Heinicke, on the other hand, brings more experience to the table. NFL fans are familiar with Heinicke, who has made 29 starts over the course of six seasons. Last year, he started four games for the Atlanta Falcons, throwing five touchdowns and four interceptions. The Falcons went 1-3 in those contests, underscoring Heinicke’s uneven track record as a starter.
While neither Stick nor Heinicke is a high-profile backup, both are capable of stepping in if needed. Harbaugh’s run-heavy offensive philosophy means that whoever gets the nod will likely be tasked with managing the game rather than trying to win it with their arm.
As the Chargers prepare for their matchup against the Steelers, much hinges on Herbert’s health. Whether he plays or not, the team’s running game will remain at the forefront of their offensive attack, allowing them to remain competitive in the absence of their star quarterback.
