Chargers QB Justin Herbert dazzles in practice: 'He's the elite of the elite'

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The ball left Justin Herbert ’s hand 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. Advertisement 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 thro.