Chargers QB Justin Herbert Diagnosed With Plantar Fasciitis Injury

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will be out of training camp for about two weeks after being diagnosed Wednesday with a plantar fasciitis injury in his right foot, the team announced Thursday. Doctors have recommended Herbert wear a walking boot.

The Chargers said in a news release that they expect Herbert to be healthy enough to play in the regular-season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 8 at SoFi Stadium. Easton Stick will take the bulk of the snaps Herbert would have taken as training camp continues Thursday.

Injuries to the plantar fascia, the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the toes, are more common among long-distance runners, ballet dancers, and others who stand for long periods of time each day. The main symptom is heel pain.

Surgery is usually not necessary, but rest is the best medicine.

Herbert has suffered significant injuries in each of the last two seasons. He suffered a fractured rib cartilage in Week 2 of the 2022 season against the Kansas City Chiefs, but didn’t miss a game despite the debilitating injury. Last season, he was sidelined for the final four games with a broken index finger.

Stick replaced Herbert, who made his first regular-season start. He completed 63.8 percent of his passes in the Chargers’ losses to the Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs. He passed for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Herbert was unlikely to play in any of the Chargers’ three exhibition games, including their preseason opener on Aug. 10 against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Stick, Max Duggan and Casey Bauman were expected to start as the Chargers’ quarterbacks.

More information to come on this story.