Justin Herbert injury situation takes huge positive turn for Chargers

The Chargers announced quarterback Justin Herbert's "injury to plantar fascia" diagnosis two weeks ago on August 1st. Two weeks in a walking boot was part of his prescribed treatment plan from the team. However, with the trickiness of the plantar fascia injury, it was worth wondering whether more than two weeks in the boot would be necessary.

Some anxiety can now be put to rest. Justin Herbert was seen at practice without his walking boot on his first day that he was eligible to remove it.

That has to be seen as a step in the positive direction for both Herbert and the team. While he's still probably some time away from a full return to practice, fears of reaggravation or more extensive tear can be placed to the side for the time being.

An acceleration of Herbert's return is also frankly needed with where the offense is at right now. Since the Chargers' star quarterback went down, the team has struggled to move the ball in both their practices and Week 1 preseason contest vs. Seattle. The Chargers managed to score just three points against the Seahawks on Saturday.

QB Easton Stick had his worst PFF graded performance since his 2019 rookie season vs. the Seahawks. While Luis Perez wasn't bad in his small sample size, questions about the actual quality of the Chargers' backups behind Herbert continues to percolate. With his impending return, Herbert at least makes sure that those questions won't affect the opening of LA's season.

Justin Herbert still has a ways to go for the Chargers

Herbert is not out of the woods yet. As mentioned by the Chargers in their release a few weeks ago, Herbert will now undergo a gradual return-to-play process. How gradual that winds up being is to be determined by his progress. But while a return to practice soon is not off the table, it is probably not imminent.

A return to practice sooner rather than later is also good from a team chemistry perspective. Jeremy Fowler reported that people within the Chargers' building were concerned with the offensive chemistry sans Herbert.

OC Greg Roman had mentioned chemistry with Herbert and the offense being affected by this two-week injury absence as well. The sooner QB1 can slide back into the offense to finish their offseason installation process, the better.

Time will tell when exactly Herbert returns. But it seems that with his walking boot now off, the original timeline suggesting he'd be able to play against Las Vegas in Week 1 is currently on track.