Chargers QB Justin Herbert says his foot is back to 100 percent

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert spent two weeks in a walking cast during training camp because of a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. He said Wednesday that his foot is back to 100 percent.

Herbert said he doesn’t wear any special shoes or insoles to support his foot and that there was no single moment or game event that caused the injury.

“It was just one of those things where going in, it got a little sore and I talked to (the coaching staff) about it,” Herbert said. “I think the last few weeks that I’ve been out, I’ve done my best to absorb as much as I can in meetings, be there for walk-throughs, do everything I can to not miss a rep. It’s definitely tough.”

Herbert said managing the injury during the season “isn’t really on my mind right now.” Instead, he’s hoping the work he’s done with the Chargers’ athletic trainers will ensure the injury doesn’t linger any longer.

“As long as we are ahead, I think we will be fine,” said Herbert.

The Chargers have a much different offense than last season, with new starters at wide receiver, tight end and running back. The team’s receiving corps in particular is the least experienced on the team, with only one player having 1,000 receiving yards in a season: DJ Chark Jr. when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. Chark could miss Sunday’s season opener against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders after missing practice this week due to a hip injury.

“That’s the tough part about missing that time, you don’t get those reps with those guys, and they’re all new,” Herbert said. “But when you miss that, you’ve got to find ways to — whether it’s watching film and talking to them or going out after practice and doing a couple reps.”

The Chargers will rely on wideouts Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey if Chark is unable to play. When Herbert returned to practice, Johnston had one of his best weeks of camp, catching multiple passes each day.

“He’s a playmaker,” Herbert said of Johnston. “He’s one of those guys that you have to find a way to get him the ball, and when you do that, special things happen. And so a big, big part of our offense is just finding ways to get him the ball.”