All eyes continue to be on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and his status going into Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. At one point during Thursday’s practice, at least a dozen cameras and phones were pointed at the quarterback when he began to throw.
That is the most significant difference from Wednesday’s practice to Thursday that Herbert did participate in throwing during the portion open to the media.
The Chargers quarterback was listed as limited for a second straight day, but he did ramp up his practice load. He threw to teammates, as you can see below, a slant pass to receiver Keenan Allen and a long pass to receiver Mike Williams.
“The three toughest guys that I have ever been around are [former NFL QB Drew] Brees, [Rams QB Matthew] Stafford, and Justin [Herbert],” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “He’s a tough guy, you see it, but it’s pretty impressive that he can do that under the conditions.”
One notable name that didn’t practice was center Corey Linsley. The pro bowl center has been dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of the second half of the game last week and Wednesday’s practice.
Will Clapp took over for him and did a serviceable job, according to his coaches.
“I thought he did well,” Lombardi said about Clapp. “He’s been in that situation before. He played that role last year in New Orleans, where the center was responsible for a lot more. It’s something that he’s comfortable with, and we’re comfortable with him doing it.”
Allen was listed as a limited participant, but during the portion open to the media, he went through receiver drills and even some offensive portion. On Wednesday, he only partook in the individual exercises.
Cornerback JC Jackson didn’t practice for the second straight day. On Wednesday, Chargers coach Brandon Staley said he was dealing with some soreness from the game. He is a little over three weeks removed from ankle surgery.
Last Thursday was the first time Jackson played with his defensive teammates this season, so they got a glimpse of what the defense could look like when fully healthy.
“It helps because he can cover the best guys, I can cover the tight ends and running backs, so just having a guy like that makes us more multiple as a defense,” safety Derwin James said.
Regarding Herbert, player designations come out on Friday, so it will be interesting to see what his status is leading into Sunday. Staley said Wednesday that they would trust the young quarterback to decide on whether he can go or not.
“You have your game plan, and there are a handful of plays that might be Justin [Herbert] only, but you put a plan together, and most of it spans whatever quarterback plays,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “I think we will be all right. There might be a handful of plays that we scratch out if Justin is not playing, but we will be ready.”
