Of all the things the Chargers needed for the 2024 season, quarterback Justin Herbert dealing with another injury was absolutely last on the list. While reports indicate it's nothing serious, the ankle injury is severe enough to keep him limited this week at practice leading up to their matchup with the Steelers.
It's not an ideal situation in just the third game of the year, and it's even less favorable to go against an AFC team that could become a determining factor in LA's playoff hopes.
The latest update about Herbert's injury is promising, with NFL insider Ian Rapoport claiming the current plan is for the quarterback to be ready to go on Sunday, which is a great sign for the Chargers' chances.
However, given what they're dealing with, Steelers players seem to already know what the game plan will be, which isn't exactly a surprise, but not great either.
Justin Herbert's injury might make the Chargers game plan too obvious vs. the Steelers
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen is quite familiar with new Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman from their days with the Ravens. Because he practiced against his offense for the first three years of his career in the NFL, he can already predict what the Chargers will do in their upcoming matchup.
He said as much when speaking to reporters earlier this week, detailing what he expects from Roman's game plan for the Week 3 game.
“I faced it for three years. Every day in practice. Smash-mouth football, that January-type football. He going to try to see if he could test you, test you in your will and that’s why we got to go out there and try to stop it.”
It doesn't help that Herbert is dealing with an ankle injury that limits his mobility, either, making the game plan even more obvious, on top of Roman's desire to install a run-heavy offense to benefit the quarterback.
That, of course, means the Chargers will continue relying on their run game, which has been surprisingly good post-Austin Ekeler, who was the team's best running back for the last several years. They have seemingly found their next star in former Raven J.K. Dobbins, who has recorded 27 carries for a league-high 266 yards and two touchdowns through just two games.
The fact that he, too, is a former Raven, makes it even easier for Queen to help his new Steelers teammates prepare for Sunday.
The linebacker spoke highly of Dobbins to reporters earlier this week, even labeling him underestimated. But he plans to shut him down in the Steelers' home opener, which might give them even more juice to play hard in front of their legion of terrible towel-swinging fans.
“I love J.K. Still one of my best friends, still talk to him to this day. He’s just a great guy, a great player. ’m happy to see him getting back to himself, but as far as me, I want to shut that down. He’s the leading rusher right now, so just being able to go out there and shut him down would give me bragging rights and help this team win.
He’s got everything. He’s got vision. He’s got the speed. He’s got the burst. He’s just all around a good back. He can do every single thing on the field, and I think people might have underestimated him this year, knowing that he had the injuries.”
Although how the Chargers have found success this season isn't a secret, it could be bad news that the Steelers have a player with such rich experience with their new offensive coordinator and running back to better prepare his teammates for what's to come.
On top of that, of the two teams Pittsburgh has beaten, one is known for having a solid run game but had a forgettable day against the Steelers' defense when they matched up last week, making this upcoming bout for the Chargers a bit more worrisome.
Maybe this is all just a dramatic reaction to a few comments from an opposing linebacker lined with the fear of a possible first loss of the season. That could be all this is chalked up to be.
Or it could be a good sign for the Chargers to hear this from Queen to alter their plan for Sunday's game and try to throw a wrench into the mix to throw them off.
No matter what, it's going to be a difficult one to walk out with a win.