Chargers QB Justin Herbert making great progress in return from foot injury – Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO — Day two of Justin Herbert's return played out similarly to day one. Herbert joined the Chargers' quarterback rotation along with Easton Stick and Luis Perez for the majority of practice Tuesday, the 20th of the team's scheduled scrimmages.

The only difference was that Herbert participated in some, but not all, of the 11-on-11 drills.

“It's definitely a difference going up against one of the best quarterbacks right now,” Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. said of the return of Herbert, who was sidelined for more than two weeks with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. “You can feel it. Everything is different.”

The Chargers are a very different team with Herbert at quarterback than with Stick or Perez at the position. Stick started their first two exhibition games and although he improved from Week 1 to Week 2, his throws were not dynamic at all in both of his first-half appearances.

Neither he nor Perez scored a touchdown. The Chargers' only points came on four field goals by Cameron Dicker, including three during their 13-9 loss to the Rams last Saturday. Dicker also made a 58-yard field goal in a 16-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 10.

Even though Herbert probably wouldn't play against the Rams or Seahawks even if he were 100 percent healthy – and won't play in Saturday's final exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys – his mere presence on the practice field has lifted the Chargers' spirits over the past two days.

Coach Jim Harbaugh spoke Monday about hearing angels singing.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Tuesday he saw an apparition.

“I can’t explain it, but there was this moment,” Roman said, smiling.

In a more serious tone, Roman said he was happy to see Herbert again.

“He's been mentally in it the whole time, working extremely hard and just wanting to get back out there,” Roman said. “So this is a good step. Everything is within the medical protocol that's being set out. So he's definitely taking steps and it's been good to have him out there and see him run the show.”

Herbert has the next two days to make further moves, but then training camp ends with the final practice game on Saturday and Week 0 begins next week. The Chargers have two weeks to prepare for their season opener on Sept. 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium.

Herbert has had little time to get used to practice again, although the Chargers don't seem to be pushing him too hard into the team. On Monday, for example, he only participated in 7-on-7 drills and was on the sidelines for 11-on-11 drills. On Tuesday, he participated in 7-on-7 drills and a few select 11-on-11 drills.

“Everything gets more exciting in Week 0, everything,” Roman said. “The actual game plan comes out. All that stuff. It's a heightened feel for everything. Right now, it's a heightened need to build our team offensively. Play winning football. All the details. Constantly chasing all those things.”