Justin Herbert injury status: Will fantasy managers have Chargers QB available for Week 1?
Entering his fifth NFL season, Justin Herbert is looking to get over the hump with postseason success. The 2020 first-round pick has put together a 30-32 regular season record during his time as the team's starting quarterback and the last campaign was a tough one.
The Chargers had a down year in 2023, finishing in last place in the AFC West with a 5-12 record. Herbert missed the team's final five games of the season as he suffered a broken index finger on his throwing hand. The Chargers went on to lose their remaining four games.
Ahead of the Chargers' regular-season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles quarterback was put on the injury list by the team.
Should fantasy managers be worried about the Chargers quarterback?
No, fantasy owners shouldn't be worried about Justin Herbert's status. The Los Angeles quarterback should suit up for Sunday's season opener against the Raiders.
Herbert threw for 3,134 yards last season and 20 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 13 games played. In his first three seasons in the NFL as a healthy quarterback, he finished with the eighth-most fantasy points for a quarterback in 2020, third-most in 2021, and 14th-most in 2022.
Herbert will be without three key offensive weapons from the team he arrived in Los Angeles as Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler signed with new teams in the off-season and with the team trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears.
Justin Herbert's injury update
Justin Herbert suffered a minor injury to the plantar fascia area on August 1. As a result, he didn't play in the Chargers' preseason and was either sidelined or limited for August.
Still, coach Jim Harbaugh announced recently that Herbert would be ready to go for their season opener. However, Herbert was added to the team's injury list on Thursday.
While he appeared on the injury list, it isn't a reason for Chargers fans or fantasy managers to be concerned. The Chargers were advised by the NFL to add him to the injury list despite him practicing on Wednesday.
According to the team, Herbert's status for Week 1 hasn't changed, and they only added him to the list because of the NFL. Herbert should play on Sunday, barring something very unexpected.