EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The ball left Justin Herbert’s hard and soared 65 yards downfield in a perfect spiral.
The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback was targeting rookie receiver Brenden Rice down the left sideline. Rice had created some slight separation on a go route. The ball carried. And carried. And carried. It hit the turf on the goal line, just out of Rice’s reach for an incompletion.
Rice picked up the ball and started jogging back to the offensive huddle. He was shaking his head.
“Bro,” Rice said as he got about halfway back, “he got a cannon!”
Wednesday marked Herbert’s third straight practice this week since returning from an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot. Herbert has been sharp since the moment he stepped back onto the field Monday. But in Wednesday’s practice, Herbert ratcheted his game up to an otherworldly plane.
GO DEEPER
Chargers QB Justin Herbert returns to practice
After nearly three weeks of sluggish play from backup Easton Stick, the Chargers, in particular the pass catchers, are re-acclimating to what Herbert brings to practice with his right arm.
“You got to be ready any and every time,” said rookie receiver Ladd McConkey. “Even when you feel like you’re not open, he can throw you open.”
herbo was slingin’ it today pic.twitter.com/jEcYDb3aaw
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 21, 2024
Rice learned that lesson on the deep ball: Just keep running; Herbert will get the ball there.
That throw to Rice was one of just four incompletions Herbert threw in the practice on 29 passing attempts. All the reps came against the reserve defense. One of the incompletions was a drop from receiver Quentin Johnston. On another, Rice slipped on a dig route over the middle.
It was a dazzling, awe-inspiring display, one that considerably dims any concern over how Herbert would rebound after the missed time.
“He is unbelievable,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “He’s as good as it gets in this league.”
What made the practice performance particularly impressive: Most of the throws came in high-leverage periods focusing on red zone and third down.
In the first red zone period, which was seven-on-seven, Herbert hit Johnston for a touchdown in the back left corner of the end zone. JT Woods, who was playing outside cornerback, was in tight coverage. Herbert put the ball in a perfect spot, over Woods’ outstretched, where only Johnston could make a play on the ball. Johnston leaped, secured the catch and got both feet down.
GO DEEPER
Chargers training camp, Day 20: JT Woods getting extended audition at cornerback
Johnston responded well after his early drop. He caught all seven of his targets over the remainder of practice, including that touchdown.
Herbert continued his precision in the next red zone period, which was 11-on-11. He went 4-for-4 with four touchdowns. He layered a beautiful throw to tight end Donald Parham Jr. in the front right corner of the end zone. Cornerback Cam Hart — all 6-foot-3 of him — was fronting Parham. Herbert put enough loft on the ball to carry Hart, but he also provided enough touch for the ball to drop into Parham’s arms before the sideline.
Herbert hit receiver Joshua Palmer on a crossing route on the next play. He then delivered a pinpoint ball to Derius Davis in the back left corner of the end zone. He finished the period with a slant to Palmer, who ran a great route against Hart.
all in the details pic.twitter.com/6Ytb6lwi1X
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 21, 2024
Next came 11-on-11 third down. Herbert went 4-for-5. All four went for conversions. On the only incompletion, Rice slipped over the middle. He was open before losing his footing, and the ball was on the money.
Herbert was surgical again in the next period, third down seven-on-seven. He connected with Johnston on the first two plays for conversions. Johnston made his best catch of practice on the second throw, a third-and-5, snatching a low throw before it hit the turf while sliding.
Herbert got a second series in this period. He went 4-for-4, converting third down from 5, 6, 10 and 12 yards. He completed an explosive pass to Palmer on a corner route. He also threw two missiles over the middle to receiver Simi Fehoko.
Herbert closed by going 3-for-3 in the final third down 11-on-11 period. He hit Rice on a comeback route to convert a third-and-14. He completed a third-and-7 to Johnston on a dig. And he hit Palmer on a crosser to convert on third-and-6.
“He’s the elite of the elite,” Minter said.
News and notes
• Chargers who did not practice: safety Derwin James Jr.; edge rusher Joey Bosa; receiver DJ Chark; tight end Will Dissly; offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III; tight end Hayden Hurst; linebacker Nick Niemann; safety Thomas Harper; tight end Tucker Fisk; and edge rusher Chris Rumph II.
• Jamaree Salyer returned to team drills for the first time since suffering an injury during practice in July. He worked at right guard with the first-team offense.
(Photo: John McCoy / Associated Press)
