LA Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert spoke to the media for the first time since his training camp foot injury that caused him to miss two weeks. Herbert was of course asked about the nature of his injury and how his foot his feeling now. Asked directly about it being plantar fasciitis, Herbert cleared the air:
"Oh no, I didn't have that," Herbert said. "But it's feeling much better though, so I appreciate that."
Herbert was then asked in a follow-up question to clarify what foot injury he did have. He continued to be short with details, saying he's prefer to keep the nature of the injury to himself:
"You know, I think that's just something that's a personal thing that you'd like to keep to yourself. And if it's not something I have to put out there, then I think I'd like to keep that to myself, and to the doctors here especially."
Herbert was then asked if he was back to 100% after the injury. He kept his answer brief: "Correct."
Justin Herbert confirms he is 100% ahead of Chargers' season opener
The Chargers' quarterback said that he initially noticed his foot was gradually becoming sore over time before he decided to talk to the Chargers' staff in August: "There wasn't really one moment that I felt it happened." Herbert went on to say that he did his best to be present in walkthroughs in meetings in spite of missing practice time due to the injury.
Herbert called the foot issue "more of a buildup" injury that he couldn't give an exact timeline on when it took place.
Other noteworthy Herbert quotes on his injury include:
- Herbert saying he could've played through the walking boot period if he needed to, suggesting that the time missed in practice was precautionary.
- -Herbert continued to quell questions on how comfortable he was to be able to play: "If I didn't feel comfortable, I wouldn't be out there."
Earlier in the day, HC Jim Harbaugh downplayed the level of concern with Justin Herbert's injury when he was asked about it: "Concerns? I have concernts about the entire team and their health. That's always top of mind."
For the time being, it doesn't seem as though Herbert's foot injury will limit him in any meaningful way. The Chargers' star quarterback did not appear on the teams' initial Week 1 injury report that was released on Wednesday, meaning he was a full participant in practice.
Herbert will get his first game action since December 10th of last season when the Raiders come to SoFi Stadium on Sunday. The foot (as well as the Chargers' offense) will face its first real test of the regular season.