Tag: Justin Herbert Fantasy

Chargers QB Justin Herbert won’t be affected by finger injury vs. Cowboys

There aren’t going to be any limitations for Justin Herbert.

Quarterback Justin Herbert is not likely to be affected by the injured finger on his non-throwing hand when the Chargers take on the Cowboys on Monday night.

“I think there’s so much going on during the game that you’re probably not going to be worrying about it too much. I think you’re just going to be worried about not getting tackled or not taking those hits. Whether it’s a scramble, it’s about being safe and getting down. That’s in the back of your mind.”

Herbert sustained the injury in Week 4 in the win over the Raiders. It occurred after he threw an interception. He attempted to make a tackle on the defender, but his finger got caught in the helmet of Maxx Crosby, resulting in him finishing the game with a large splint on his hand.

“I think it gets better every day,” Herbert said. “It’s nice having the bye week to get our bodies back. I think it’s getting better every day.”

Herbert said he plans to play with a glove on his hand as a way of protection and helping him get a better grip on the football.

Herbert didn’t take any snaps under center throughout the week of practice to protect his finger, but he did note that they’ve got some plays under center designed for the game.

1 bold prediction for every Chargers positional unit: Offense

Making predictions for the Los Angeles Chargers’ high-octane offense.

The Chargers are just days away from kicking off the 2022 regular season. After some roster reconstruction, the team is equipped with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball.

How will the positional groups shape up? Let’s take a crack at making a bold prediction for each one, starting with the quarterback room.

Quarterback

Justin Herbert leads the NFL in passing yards

Last season, Herbert finished second in passing yards behind Tom Brady with 5,014. Herbert enters his third season, having plenty of chemistry with wide receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Josh Palmer. In addition, he will have one of the best receiving running backs in Austin Ekeler and a yards-after-the-catch weapon in Gerald Everett at his disposal. As a result, the Chargers will continue to put the ball in the hands of Herbert, giving him plenty of opportunities to load up this stat.

Running back

Austin Ekeler leads the NFL in touchdowns

Ekeler was a key piece of Joe Lombardi’s offense in 2021, contributing heavily as both a ball carrier and pass catcher. He set career-highs in rushing yards (911), all-purpose yards (1,558), rushing touchdowns (12) and tied a career-high in receiving touchdowns (eight). Ekeler tied Colts RB Jonathan Taylor for the most touchdowns scored (20) overall last season. Even with the arrival of Sony Michel, it shouldn’t take away from Ekeler’s red zone opportunities that much. In 2021, Ekeler scored 12 times on his 46 red zone attempts.

Wide receiver

Mike Williams leads wideouts in receiving yards and touchdowns

Williams is coming off his most productive season to date, as he set career highs with 76 receptions and 1,146 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches (both team-highs among receivers) in 2021. A large part of his breakout year was his new role under Lombardi. Not only was he a deep-field 50-50-ball threat, like how he was strictly used early in his career, but as the ‘X’ receiver, Williams attacked in the short and intermediate areas of the field and ran various routes. With Allen, Palmer and Everett to be accounted for, Williams should not draw blanketed coverage. Ultimately, I expect Williams to push his overall stats higher in 2022. 80 catches for over 1,200 yards with double-digit scores.

Tight end

Donald Parham outproduces Gerald Everett

Parham made strides in his second season with the Chargers. He finished with 20 receptions on 27 targets for 190 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games before his year ended when he suffered a devastating concussion in Week 15 against the Chiefs. In training camp, he looked like one of the best pass-catchers before hurting his hamstring. Even though Everett is the top tight end, I expect the offense to utilize Parham’s elite physical traits and movement skills often, whether up the seams or in the red zone.

Offensive line

Rashawn Slater allows no more than two sacks

Making the smooth transition from college to the pro level at the tackle position in Year 1 is not an easy task by any means. Very few can maintain the high level of play against NFL pass rushers right out the gate, but Slater defied the odds in his rookie season, garnering second-team All-Pro. Slater’s light feet, balance and technically refined and heavy hands showed to be elite enough to slow the cream of the crop of edge defenders, and I expect that to be no different in his sophomore season.

Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Jared Cook building strong connection

Jared Cook is establishing himself as one of Justin Herbert’s go-to targets.

Last season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert heavily targeted tight end Hunter Henry. Despite no longer being a part of the team, Herbert appears to be building a solid connection with Henry’s replacement, veteran Jared Cook.

Through two days at camp, Herbert has found Cook on multiple occasions during team drills. Yesterday, the two connected twice. Today, Herbert hit Cook for a 50+ yard touchdown pass.

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is not surprised they have already started intertwine with one another.

“Jared’s a very easy guy to throw to,” Lombardi said.

Cook spent the last two seasons with the Saints alongside Lombardi, who served the quarterbacks coach then. He had 80 catches for 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns.

This season, Cook will provide a big frame in the middle of the field and in the red zone for Herbert. Given his familiarity with the offense and how much tight ends are catered to, Cook should some a high volume of targets.

Good opportunity for Chargers QB Justin Herbert to get back on track vs. Falcons

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was bad in Week 13 against the Patriots, but he gets a great matchup in Week 14 against the Falcons.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is having quite the rookie season, as he’s made history and is on his way to shattering more NFL records ever since he took over as the starter back in Week 2.

However, he’s experienced some growing pains the past two performances, failing to complete 60% of his throws and has tossed three interceptions in that span. Last weekend against the Patriots, Herbert failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in his career of 11 games.

The offensive line, of course, is to blame, as Herbert has had very little time to throw. The play-calling has been mediocre, as well. But opposing defenses, particularly New England and Buffalo have done a great job at scheming against him.

Nonetheless, Herbert has a great shot at coming back to life this upcoming Sunday, facing a Falcons defense that has been poor against the pass, allowing the second-most passing yards per game. They also have one of the lowest interception percentages in the NFL.

Heading into this week, Herbert has completed 64.8% of his passes for 3,224 yards and 23 touchdowns, against just nine interceptions. If you own the former Oregon product in one of your fantasy football leagues, I advise you to start him this weekend.