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

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

Herbert said he does not wear any special cleats or soles to support his foot and that there was no game or moment that triggered the injury.

“It was just one of those things where I went in; it got a little painful, and I talked to [the training staff] about it,” Herbert said. “I think the last few weeks I've been away, I've been doing my best to take in as much of the meetings as I can, be there for the walk-throughs and do everything I can to not miss a replay. It's definitely tough.”

Herbert said that dealing with the injury throughout the season is “not really on my mind right now.” Instead, he hopes the work he's done with the Chargers' athletic trainers will ensure the injury doesn't linger long.

“As long as we stand in front of it, everything will be fine, I think,” 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 receivers in particular are the team's least experienced, with only one player to rush for 1,000 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 Las Vegas Raiders, as he hasn't practiced this week due to a hip injury.

“That's the hard part about missing that time because you don't get those reps with those guys and they're all new,” Herbert said. “But when you miss that, you have to find ways to do that – whether it's watching film and talking to them or going out after practice and getting some 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 training 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 ways to get the ball to, and when you do that, special things happen. And so a big, big part of our offense is finding ways to get the ball to him.”