Justin Herbert injured his foot in training camp on Wednesday, a huge bit of news in the AFC West.
Herbert is a top-10 quarterback in the NFL, and if it affects him into the regular season, that will have implication on the Denver Broncos, too.
Like the Chargers, the Super Bowl champion Chiefs have injury issues as well.
Could those injuries help the Broncos complete in the division?
Justin Herbert injured plantar fascia in camp
According to the Chargers twitter account, Justin Herbert injured his plantar fascia in his right foot.
Following yesterday’s practice, Justin Herbert was diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot.
Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot — followed by a graduated return to play protocol — with the expectation that he will be ready for the…
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 1, 2024
As they explained, he will be in a boot for two weeks, meaning he won’t practice. It’s also unlikely Herbert will play at all this preseason.
That’s somewhat important because not only is head coach Jim Harbaugh new to the team, but so is coordinator Greg Roman and his offense.
The good news for LA is Herbert is expected back for the start of the season. But that foot injury could linger all season long, as Adam Schefter and Sigmund Bloom explained.
Yep that’s the nature of plantar fascia injuries. Definitely changes LAC offensive outlook https://t.co/W3rGsxvH6o
— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) August 2, 2024
The Chargers over/under total for wins is 8.5 games this year, and this injury doesn’t help their chances going into the preseason and eventual regular season.
Los Angeles was expected to be the second-best team in the AFC West, but that door is now open to the Broncos.
Nick Bolton among many injured Chiefs, Raiders and Broncos have own issues
Nick Bolton is a crucial member of the Kansas City Chiefs defense as a linebacker asked to do a lot with the system.
His play is even more important now that Willie Gay left during the offseason to play with the Saints.
Bolton was carted off the field on Wednesday following a tackle of Mercole Hardman, as the linebacker “tweaked” his left elbow. While head coach Andy Reid downplayed the severity, it’s alarming for the Chiefs because Bolton missed half the 2023 season with multiple injuries to his left arm.
In only 8 starts, his combined tackles dropped from 180 in 2022 to a mere 60 in 2023.
The Chiefs are dealing with multiple injuries currently, and this is only training camp.
Superstar and First-Team All-Pro Chris Jones sustained a groin injury last weekend in camp and missed multiple practices. But he did return on Wednesday.
Kadarius Toney also left practice on Wednesday on a cart, injuring his right ankle. Toney is currently competing for a wide receiver spot, one of the weakest position groups on the Chiefs.
In Las Vegas, starting right tackle Thayer Munford hurt his left hand on Thursday and exited practice for a time. Fellow starting linemen Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson are on the physically unable to perform list currently.
In Denver, things are a bit better injury-wise. Well, except for backup tackle Quinn Bailey, who fractured his ankle this week.
Safety Caden Sterns was recently activated from the PUP list but isn’t practicing yet. And fellow safety Brandon Jones tweaked his hamstring and will slowly get back to the field. Could Denver reach out to Justin Simmons?
Injuries are just part of the deal in the NFL, but dealing with them in training camp is difficult. They may just lead to a tighter AFC West this year.
