Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh expects quarterback Justin Herbert to "get better every day" after he suffered an ankle injury in Week 2.

"Crystal ball? Expect him to get better every day," Harbaugh said, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. "I was just in a meeting with him. Said he was feeling much better and good today."

The Chargers are scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road this Sunday.

Herbert suffered the injury during last Sunday's 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers after taking a hit in the third quarter.

Herbert visited the team's medical tent after the hit, although he returned to finish out the game.

FUMBLE! pic.twitter.com/0pnVhHUAh3

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 15, 2024

Herbert, who was limping after the game, said he got "rolled up" on the tackle, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. He told reporters on Sunday night that he had X-rays done on his right leg.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that those X-rays were negative, according to Popper.

Harbaugh added that he was "sure there'll be further evaluations as the week goes on."

Herbert recorded 130 passing yards, the lowest full-game total of his NFL career, in Saturday's win. He finished the game with two touchdowns and an interception on 14-of-20 passing.

During the Chargers' season-opening victory over the Las Vegas Raiders Herbert went 17-of-26 for 144 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

If Herbert is forced to miss any time, it will mark the second straight season during which he has been limited by injury. After beginning his NFL career by starting 62 straight games, Herbert's 2023 campaign for the Chargers was cut short by a fractured right index finger suffered in Week 14.

Herbert then missed almost three weeks of training camp this summer after being diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury that necessitated a walking boot on his right foot.

Easton Stick would be the next man up if Herbert doesn't recover as expected ahead of Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that X-rays on the lower right leg of star quarterback Justin Herbert came back negative, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

"I'm sure there'll be further evaluations as the week goes on," Harbaugh added.

Herbert told reporters he "got rolled up" following a fumble in the second quarter of Sunday's 26-3 win, though he was able to finish the game.

Injuries have become a bit of a theme for Herbert in recent months.

The 26-year-old suffered a plantar fascia injury to his right foot during the team's training camp in late July that sidelined him for the team's preparations ahead of the 2024 campaign. It was a big blow, considering he and his teammates were learning a new offense with Jim Harbaugh installed as the head coach in the offseason.

The veteran quarterback was also familiarizing himself with a number of new weapons after Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler departed this offseason. That process was halted due to the injury.

Harbaugh told reporters in early August the preparations remained "full steam ahead" even with Herbert unable to practice.

"The preparation, the work continues," he added. "He's not on the field, in practice, but in the meeting room, still in the training environment, that chemistry, that rapport you build with those position players, with his teammates, that continues."

It's been a tough half-year or so for Herbert, who saw his 2023 season cut short after fracturing his right index finger in Week 14. He had started 62 straight games before that, throwing for at least 4,300 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of his first three campaigns.

Last year, missed time and the team's struggles in general led to a more muted 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 65.1 completion percentage and a 5-8 record. All of those marks, outside of the interceptions, were career worsts.

Harbaugh's hiring offered a fresh start, though losing practice time ahead of the season while installing a new offense was hardly ideal. The Chargers have started 2-0, however, a positive start.

If Herbert is forced to miss time, Easton Stick will assume starting duties. He threw for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while completing 63.8 percent of his passes in five appearances last year, though the team went 0-4 in his four starts. The hope will be that any cameo in the 2024 season, if needed, is short-lived.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert underwent X-rays after a 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Herbert told reporters that he got "rolled up" following a fumble in the second quarter (via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk). His exact injury wasn't disclosed by the team, but ESPN's Kris Rhim reported that the signal-caller was limping after the game.

Herbert finished 14-of-20 for 130 yards to go along with two touchdowns and an interception in the victory.

Both of his touchdown passes occurred in the first half, helping Los Angeles jump out to a 20-0 lead at halftime.

Quentin Johnston TOUCHDOWN

📺: #LACvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/OzD8IfKRTC

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Herbert appeared to have been shaken up after he was sacked and fumbled the ball in the third quarter. Trainers attended to his right foot and he eventually went into the team's medical tent, but he didn't miss a snap and was back under center on the Chargers' next drive (per Rhim).

The Pro Bowl signal-caller previously dealt with a plantar fascia issue in his right foot during training camp, causing him to use a walking boot for two weeks. However, Herbert told reporters that his foot was back to 100 percent ahead of Los Angeles' Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He also wasn't listed on the team's injury report entering Sunday's action.

The Chargers remained unbeaten following Sunday's win, but Herbert's individual production has dipped slightly compared to past years. After entering the season averaging 277.8 passing yards per game in his career, he's averaging just 137 yards per game through the air in 2024.

If Herbert is unable to suit up in Los Angeles' Week 3 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, backup quarterback Easton Stick should start in his absence.

The biggest fan of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert might be his head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh told reporters Friday that he asked the Chargers equipment staff this week to give him the same sneakers Herbert wears, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.

"There's not a gene in his body I wouldn't immediately trade for," Harbaugh said.

Herbert went 17-of-26 for 144 yards and a touchdown last Sunday to lead his team to a 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Harbaugh's Chargers debut.

guys will see this and go hell yeah pic.twitter.com/zvYrTdGWld

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 8, 2024

Harbaugh was effusive in his praise of Herbert during Friday media availability ahead of the Chargers' Sunday contest against the Carolina Panthers.

"I love guys that love football," Harbaugh told reporters. "Guys that love football, they love you back. And there's no doubt Justin loves football... he loves competing. He's such a fierce competitor.

"As a coach, the way he sees things, the way he understands every nuance of the position and the game and the other positions, man, I want to be best friends with him. And really, I can't imagine anybody, I cannot imagine anybody— If you don't love Justin Herbert, then there's something wrong with you."

Jim Harbaugh on Justin Herbert:
“If you don’t love Justin Herbert, there’s something wrong with you.” pic.twitter.com/jotDYpPaiI

— Ryan DePaul (@RyanDePaul) September 13, 2024

Harbaugh hyping up the Chargers' quarterback is nothing new. During this offseason the former Michigan coach has praised both Herbert's athleticism, which Harbaugh said could allow the quarterback to succeed as a tight end or an edge rusher, and his brain, which Harbaugh described as a "computer chip" because of the "impressive" way he can process information.

Herbert has also complimented his new coach, who spent 14 years as an NFL quarterback between 1987 and 2000 and is now a frequent presence in the Chargers' quarterback room, per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times.

"He's done such a great job asking questions, giving his input that we really feel comfortable with how we want this offense run," Herbert said about Harbaugh after last Sunday's win, per Nguyen. "We know that our quarterbacks are well prepared for the game."

Herbert is three seasons removed from his sole Pro Bowl campaign for the Chargers in 2021. Harbaugh will hope to help his quarterback return to that level of production as he leads Los Angeles into this weekend's road game.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh says he left Michigan after nine seasons to pursue his goal of coaching football at "the highest level."

"This is the highest level. I wanna see if I measure up, if I can come into this tremendous organization and add value," Harbaugh said Tuesday on the Dan Patrick Show (1:30 mark.)

Harbaugh continued: "I love the challenge. And this league, as you know, you've heard a million people say it, it's really hard to get a win, and it's really special to win a championship. I haven't done it."

Harbaugh previously coached the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons between 2011 and 2014, leading the Niners to a Super Bowl loss against the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans in 2012.

He compared his feelings about returning to the NFL this season to to Burt Lancaster's role as Dr. "Moonlight" Graham in Field of Dreams.

"When Burt Lancaster, he's talking about his playing days, and he walked off that field thinking there would be other days, but there were no other days," Harbaugh said. "I walked off that Super Bowl field in New Orleans thinking there would be another day, there'll be another day. You don't know if there is going to be another day.

"So to have that opportunity, to be back in position... I'm sure going to attack it with an enthusiasm known to mankind."

When asked by Patrick, Harbaugh denied that the rising popularity of NIL deals and the future of revenue sharing with athletes influenced his decision to leave the NCAA.

"I always looked at that as real positive change that needed to be made," Harbaugh.

The Chargers won Harbaugh's Los Angeles debut thanks to a 16-point second half in a season-opening 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The team will return to action on Sunday with a road game against the Carolina Panthers.

The players involved in a fight near the end of Sunday's game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders reportedly won't face any further punishments.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, no suspensions are expected to come from the NFL for any of the players who took part in the scuffle, including Chargers receiver Joshua Palmer and Raiders cornerback Jack Jones, both of whom were ejected from the game.

The fracas began after the Raiders stopped Chargers running back Gus Edwards on a two-point conversion with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter of Los Angeles' 22-10 win.

Palmer ran to assist wide receiver Ladd McConkey in blocking Raiders safety Marcus Epps, but Jones ran behind them to help Epps. He and Palmer got entangled outside of the end zone, causing multiple players from both teams to jump in and try to break things up, leading to other separate fights.

Palmer said after the game that he "got punched a lot" but didn't throw a punch himself, so he was surprised he received an ejection.

"They came and started throwing punches, but we're not going to be punching bags," Palmer said, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. "So we had to defend ourselves."

Palmer added that he believes the Raiders took exception to how aggressively the Chargers receivers were blocking, but he doesn't hold any ill feelings toward the AFC West rivals.

"It's not personal. There's no bad blood," Palmer said. "UFC guys beat up each other for a living, then they go back and shake hands. Especially in football, it's nothing like that. But it's not personal at all. We just do our job as hard as we can. We're not trying to hurt anybody."

The Chargers will try to keep the momentum going when they visit the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, while the Raiders will try to bounce back against the Baltimore Ravens.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was proud of his team after earning a hard-fought Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders by the final score of 22-10.

"They're hard to get," Harbaugh said, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "These are hard to get. Everybody in that locker room knows it, as do I, that it is really hard to win a game in the NFL. I just take my hat off to, really, everybody in the organization, especially those that have been here doing the dirty work."

Harbaugh earned his first win as an NFL head coach since he was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. He was given a game ball in the locker room after the victory.

who's got it better than us? pic.twitter.com/tr3FRG90lB

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 9, 2024

Harbaugh's 49ers teams routinely started seasons off strong, as he won all five of his Week 1 games with the organization.

The Chargers weren't able to accomplish the feat in 2023, losing their season-opening game and eventually dropping four of their first six contests before finishing the year with a 5-12 record. This led to the hiring of Harbaugh on Jan. 24, who just wrapped up an undefeated season as well as a national title with Michigan at the time.

Los Angeles wasn't particularly dominant against its division rival on Sunday. However, the Chargers were able to capitalize on three Raiders turnovers and put the game away with a touchdown by rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the fourth quarter.

Keep that football!

Ladd McConkey finds the blue paint for his first NFL TD!

📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/2Px6BcGS2W

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Harbaugh's team will look to keep the momentum going and attempt to help secure the organization's first 2-0 start since 2012.

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown on just 10 carries to lead the Bolts to a 22-10 home victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

He looked explosive, nevermore than when the ex-Ohio State star galloped for a 65-yard gain late in the fourth quarter.

jk dobbins the man that u are

📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/YZGjq4cXYm

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 8, 2024

Dobbins also warded off Raiders defenders for a 12-yard touchdown to begin the fourth.

J.K. Dobbins finds the end zone! Six more for the @Chargers ⚡️

📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/utJfFTj1L7

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Dobbins entered the NFL in 2020 after a dominant run at Ohio State, where he amassed 5,104 total yards and 43 touchdowns over three campaigns.

The Baltimore Ravens selected him with a second-round pick, and Dobbins excelled when called upon, gaining 925 yards and scoring nine touchdowns on just 152 touches during his rookie year.

Unfortunately, Dobbins has only played eight games over the past three seasons.

He suffered a torn ACL, torn ACL, LCL, meniscus and hamstring during a 2021 preseason game.

Dobbins suffered a knee flare-up in 2022 and a "range of motion issue with scar tissue," per head coach John Harbaugh. He was limited to seven games on 2022.

And then in 2023, Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1, ending his season again.

Dobbins signed with the Chargers as a free agent, joining a backfield that also includes former Ravens teammate Gus Edwards.

The duo led the Bolt backfield on Sunday. Edwards finished with 26 rushing yards on 11 carries.

From a fantasy perspective, Dobbins is certainly worth considering on the Week 2 waiver wire. He's shown ability to be efficient and explosive when called upon, and that happened again on Sunday.

The fantasy downside is that Dobbins probably isn't in line for 15-20 touches or more per week. With Dobbins coming off serious injuries, that wouldn't be a wise move for the Bolts as the Ravens running back grinds through his first full season since 2020.

Plus, Edwards is there to handle his double-digit carries per game and gain the tough yards between the tackles.

But if there was any concern about rust or ineffectiveness coming off a year away from the game, then those issues were certainly put to rest. He looked great out there and should see his opportunities moving forward.

Dobbins is rostered in 48 percent of Yahoo Sports fantasy leagues, so if he's available and you're in need for a running back, he's certainly worth strong consideration as a backup running back or flex option moving forward.

Jim Harbaugh led the Los Angeles Chargers to victory in his return to the NFL sideline.

Harbaugh and the Chargers opened the season on Sunday with a 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jim Harbaugh knows how to fire up Justin Herbert 😂 pic.twitter.com/WDkaKy5PKm

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 8, 2024

Harbaugh knows how to win. It’s not going to look pretty every Sunday. But he knows how to

WIN.

— Kevin Adrian ⚡️ (@kevenadrien) September 8, 2024

This is what I expected from a Harbaugh coached team….. This Charger team is officially a problem….

— FullMonty (@HarbaughStan) September 8, 2024

Harbaugh knows how to adjust at half. We have a COACH. 🙌🏻⚡️ #BoltUp #Chargers #NFL

— Gina⚡️ (@ginabren) September 8, 2024

If you look up culture in the dictionary there’s a picture of Jim Harbaugh

— Lion (The System) (@Champ_Lion) September 8, 2024

Jim Harbaugh masterclass season incoming

— justin (@Official___Fiz) September 8, 2024

The game marked Harbaugh's return to the NFL after spending 2015 to 2023 coaching Michigan.

The veteran coach came to Los Angeles on a five-year deal after coaching the Wolverines to a national title in 2023.

Harbaugh previously spent four seasons working as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, where he made his NFL head coaching debut in 2011.

Gotta say it’s quite nice seeing coach Harbaugh back in the NFL.

— Mart (@Moonraker_Mart) September 8, 2024

Can’t even lie. It’s so awesome to see Jim Harbaugh back on the NFL sidelines.#NFL #NFLSunday

— Joseph Duffey (@joseph_duffey99) September 8, 2024

The Raiders defense for the most part stifled Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman until the Chargers' run game finally broke through in the fourth quarter.

J.K. Dobbins scored the first touchdown of the Chargers' 2024 season with a 12-yard run to start off the quarter.

Dobbins finished his Chargers debut with 10 carries for 135 yards and the touchdown.

J.K. Dobbins finds the end zone! Six more for the @Chargers ⚡️

📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/utJfFTj1L7

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Chargers RB JK Dobbins: 10 carries, 135 yards, TD.

Fair to say Jim Harbaugh's putting his stamp on the team.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 8, 2024

J.K. Dobbins is back.

10 carries for 135 yards.

Match made in heaven with Jim Harbaugh for the #Chargers.

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) September 8, 2024

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert then recorded his first touchdown pass of the season with a 10-yard throw to Ladd McConkey to seal the win.

Herbert finished his season debut having gone 17-of-26 for 144 yards and the touchdown, while taking one sack.

Keep that football!

Ladd McConkey finds the blue paint for his first NFL TD!

📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/2Px6BcGS2W

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

The Chargers overall ran for 176 yards while adding 140 yards through the air.

The defense meanwhile held Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew to 25-of-33 passing for 257 yards and one touchdown, while forcing four sacks and an interception.

My son Justin Herbert finally got a run game🥹🥹🥹🥹

— JP (@JuantheGreat25) September 8, 2024

Justin Herbert has a running game and a defense

— James Ebo (@james_ebo) September 8, 2024

Harbaugh turning the Chargers into a heavy run-first offense and making Herbert play the game manager role is exactly what they’ve needed for a while

— JL (@JLas43_) September 8, 2024

I don’t know man, the Chargers could be sneaky fun. They’ve got the tackles to keep Justin Herbert upright, Harbaugh has won everywhere he’s gone. A wildcard wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world, right?

— ryan maye (@ryanolsonn) September 8, 2024

Wherever Jim Harbaugh goes, he wins….. Chargers will be a playoff team in 2024

— DCU Enthusiast (@Giavotella_170) September 8, 2024

Harbaugh and the Chargers will look to open the season with two straight wins when the team returns to action next Sunday against the Carolina Panthers on the road.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer and Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Josh Jones were ejected following an on-field altercation during a Week 1 matchup between the two teams on Sunday.

Chargers and Raiders engaged in a brouhaha pic.twitter.com/XQ4YB3vLWa

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 8, 2024

After the Chargers scored a touchdown to push their lead to 22-10 with less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, they attempted a two-point conversion. The attempt was unsuccessful, which subsequently resulted in a scuffle between both teams that primarily involved Palmer and Jones.

Raiders signal-caller Gardner Minshew was intercepted by defensive tackle Poona Ford on the next drive following a tipped pass, securing the victory for Los Angeles.

Tip drill on the D-Line!

Mack deflects it. Ford picks it off for the @Chargers.

📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/eMQdnyaKbI

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Before he was assessed with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and removed from the game, Palmer caught two of his four targets for 15 yards. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert spread the ball around against Las Vegas, completing passes to seven different players.

Palmer is looking to build off his 2023 season, as he averaged a career-high 58.1 receiving yards per game. He was limited to just 10 appearances due to a knee injury, though.

As for Jones, he recorded four tackles before he was ejected. The 26-year-old was originally selected by the New England Patriots with a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft before he was eventually released in Nov. 2023. The Raiders claimed him off waivers and he appeared in their final seven regular-season games.

In his 2023 campaign, Jones racked up 37 total tackles to go along with five passes defensed and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus gave him a commendable 71.6 grade for his efforts, allowing 20 receptions on 33 targets.

The two AFC West foes will face off again in Week 18.