Justin Herbert to play in first-ever preseason recreation as Chargers face Rams: Need to 'see the go rush' – NFL.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Justin Herbert is ready to play in a preseason recreation for the primary time in his profession when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Rams on Saturday.
Herbert shall be in for one or two collection at SoFi Stadium, coach Jim Harbaugh stated Thursday.
“I needed to go on the market and see the go rush,” Herbert stated. “In follow as a quarterback you do not all the time get the true feeling of a go rush so I believed it will be useful.”
Herbert stated he was imagined to play final week against the New Orleans Saints, however the plan was scuttled when Rashawn Slater‘s season-ending injury prompted adjustments on the sort out positions.
Getting into his sixth season within the league, the 27-year-old quarterback has but to throw a go in a preseason recreation. When he was a rookie in 2020, the preseason was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2021, Herbert was coming off a stellar rookie 12 months and then-Chargers coach Brandon Staley did not wish to danger an damage throughout exhibition play. Staley maintained that method in 2023. Final 12 months, Herbert was in a strolling boot with a plantar fascia damage in his proper foot that prompted him to overlook almost three weeks of coaching camp.
Trey Lance and Taylor Heinicke will play after Herbert. Lance threw for under 55 yards in opposition to the Saints however he ran seven occasions for a team-high 48 yards, together with a 5-yard TD run. Lance threw for 2 TDs in a win over the Detroit Lions within the Corridor of Fame Recreation.
Heinicke began in opposition to the Saints and was 1 of 5 for 8 yards.
Additionally among the many offensive starters who’ll play in opposition to the Rams is large receiver Keenan Allen. Herbert was reunited with certainly one of his favourite targets when Allen returned to the Chargers for his second stint final week.
“He is such a wise ballplayer. He is in a position to go on the market and study a totally new offense however not miss something,” Herbert stated. “We name a route and he will discover a technique to make it work. There is a stage of consolation throwing to him simply figuring out that he is obtained such an amazing really feel.”
On protection, Khalil Mack and Derwin James will not play as Harbaugh indicated they do not want the reps.
“I do know they’re prepared,” he stated. “I bear in mind when Ok Mack obtained traded to the Bears and did not follow in any respect after which pick-6 and a pair sacks. I do know they’re good and able to go.”
The Chargers, who’re 2-0 within the preseason, canceled their joint follow with the Rams on Wednesday, citing a rash of accidents.
“We felt it was extra prudent to reconfigure,” Harbaugh stated, “and that is what we did.”
The Chargers have signed cornerback Harrison Hand and waived injured large receiver Dez Fitzpatrick.
Hand was on injured reserve final season with Atlanta. He has two begins in 27 profession video games with Minnesota and Chicago. He additionally frolicked with the New York Giants after being a fifth-round decide of the Vikings in 2020.
Copyright 2025 by The Related Press
Which preseason developments can fantasy managers belief as they put together for drafts? Marcas Grant identifies three headlines to consider in and three smoke screens to be cautious of as we method the beginning of the 2025 NFL season.
Bryce Younger and C.J. Stroud shall be endlessly linked after the QBs had been taken first and second, respectively, within the 2023 NFL Draft. On Thursday, the 2 reunited when Stroud’s Texans hosted Younger’s Panthers for a joint follow.
With two preseason video games remaining, the camp competitors between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones has but to supply a frontrunner. Colts coach Shane Steichen hopes he finds a ultimate reply on the matter quickly.
Niners All-Professional tight finish George Kittle instructed reporters Thursday of an attention-grabbing occasion during which the Raiders lined up four-time Professional Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby head up over Kittle, basically surrendering edge include with their chosen alignment.

source