Justin Herbert injury update: Latest news on Chargers QB's foot injury, fantasy impact and more

Justin Herbert was forced to wear a boot for two weeks and was sidelined after being diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot on July 31.

Despite optimistic predictions about his recovery, the Chargers quarterback missed valuable time in training camp to fit into new head coach Jim Harbaugh's offense.

Nevertheless, even during his absence from the field, Herbert was present at meetings and practices and supported backup quarterbacks Easton Stick, Max Duggan and Luis Perez throughout the preseason for Los Angeles.

Chargers fans can breathe a sigh of relief as there is positive news about Herbert coming out of Chargers practice this week. Here are the latest updates on his foot injury, including fantasy implications and more.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2024 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet

Latest information on Justin Herbert's injury

The Chargers quarterback participated in practice on Monday for the first time in nearly three weeks. Harbaugh couldn't stress enough how important Herbert's return was for the rest of the team.

“It was a great feeling,” said the coach. “It felt like music was playing, I thought I heard music, maybe voices of angels. It was a great feeling.”

ESPN reported that Herbert did not participate in full-team situations on Monday, but was active in 7-on-7 drills. Harbaugh praised him on his first day back, saying, “He looked great, with a capital G. No drop-off in power, pinpoint precision.”

Since then, things have only seemed to get better, and Daniel Popper of The Athletic gave an optimistic update on Herbert's progress on Wednesday.

That was probably the best routine I've ever seen from Justin Herbert. Just lights out.

More detailed information will follow later in the field report.

— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) 21 August 2024

Will Justin Herbert be ready for Week 1?

After Herbert returns to practice on Monday, Harbaugh expects his star quarterback to be ready for the Chargers' season opener on Sept. 8 against the Raiders.

This was the predicted outcome at the time of diagnosis and it appears the 26-year-old quarterback is on the right track. Whether he will play in the team's final preseason game this weekend has yet to be determined.

MORE: NFL Preseason Injury Tracker | RB Depth Charts

Justin Herbert's 2024 Fantasy Outlook

According to FantasyPros, Herbert currently has a total ADP of 122, or QB17. That's not entirely surprising, given that he missed the final four games of the Chargers' 2023 regular season due to a broken finger on his throwing hand, an injury that required surgery, and will be without Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Gerald Everett and Austin Ekeler this season. The Chargers will also be less pass-happy this year, with Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman calling the shots on offense.

After his final full season in 2022, Herbert finished just outside the top 10 fantasy QBs, averaging 17 fantasy points per game. For 2024, Josh Palmer is his top target, with Quentin Johnston and the recently injured DJ Chark Jr. being the other two first-string WRs in the current rankings.

Still, reports about Herbert's return to the regular season following Wednesday's practice were extremely optimistic. Plus, he recently earned a spot on Peyton Manning's list of the NFL's top five quarterbacks. It wouldn't be far-fetched to say Herbert could be a bargain, given that he doesn't suffer any major setbacks ahead of his expected return in Week 1.

MORE: The Chargers' best options for No. 2 QB aren't currently on the roster

Charger QB Lineup Diagram

After former TCU quarterback Duggan was released on Monday after he didn't come off the bench in the Chargers' final preseason game against the Rams, that leaves Perez and Stick backing up Herbert, who will battle for the second-string spot this weekend in Dallas against the Cowboys.