Herbert's brief preseason outing includes a turnover and a long touchdown pass
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played only two drives in Thursday's preseason finale, losing a fumble but also throwing a 65-yard touchdown. Coach Jim Harbaugh had said he wanted starters to play six to nine crisp, clean snaps. Herbert's mixed performance wrapped up his limited preseason workload.
Herbert took the field for just two series in the Chargers' exhibition finale, with the coaching staff aiming for roughly six to nine sharp snaps. He delivered a 65-yard scoring strike but also lost a fumble, capping a brief preseason that saw limited action for the starter. The mixed outing leaves questions about rhythm heading into the regular season.
Coach Jim Harbaugh had publicly stated his desire for crisp, clean work from the first-team offense, and Herbert's two drives provided that—though not without a blemish. The fumble and long touchdown both came in short order, giving the coaching staff a snapshot of both risk and reward. With the preseason now over, the Chargers turn their focus to Week 1 preparations.
This performance may influence fan expectations and fantasy football decisions, as Herbert's turnover could raise concerns about ball security while the long touchdown reinforces his big-play ability. The limited preseason workload means the Chargers' offense enters the regular season with less live-game cohesion, potentially affecting early-season performance. Coaches and analysts may weigh these factors when projecting the team's immediate outlook.