Los Angeles Chargers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) is officially active for Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and will start under center, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Herbert, who has 274 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception this season, was questionable with a high-ankle sprain. The Chargers took the decision up until the final minute in order to evaluate the quarterback's injury pregame. In the end, he's suiting up. However, the Chargers are carrying three active quarterbacks (Herbert, Easton Stick, and Taylor Heinicke) for the first time this season, which means they have a contingency plan in case Herbert isn't able to play the full game. Fantasy managers should treat him as a low-end QB2 this week.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) is preparing as though he will play in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, Herbert is still viewed as a game-time decision as the Chargers want to evaluate him further during pregame warmups. The former first-round pick has completed 31 of 46 passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception this year. He also has 24 rushing yards and a lost fumble. Herbert ranks as a mid-to-low fantasy QB1 if he suits up. In the event that his high-ankle sprain is too much to play through, the Chargers would turn to either Easton Stick or Taylor Heinicke.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Chargers are optimistic quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) will be available for Sunday's game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. The signal-caller is battling a high-ankle sprain, which is never an easy injury for anyone. However, he's currently questionable, so there's still a chance he'll be out there after missing practice on Wednesday and Friday (and logging a limited session on Thursday). Herbert has played better than most expected through the first two contests of the 2024-25 campaign, throwing for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and one pick while completing 67.4% of his attempts. On the other hand, even if he's available, the injury could still impact his abilities on the field versus a capable Steelers defense. With that in mind, managers should consider another fantasy quarterback for Week 3. Herbert will test the ankle during warmups. But if he can't suit up, Easton Stick will presumably be under center. Unfortunately, Stick's presence may not be good news for Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Yet, it may mean more rushing chances for J.K. Dobbins.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has seen plenty of work through two weeks and will hope to score his first touchdown of the campaign against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Both teams rank top-three in the NFL in rush play percentage and bottom-three in points allowed, which explains why this contest is projected to be the lowest-scoring of the week. That said, Pittsburgh should lean on Harris and the running game, even against a Chargers defense that has surrendered the fifth-fewest yards on the ground thus far this season. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren will likely see an expanded role, but fantasy managers should not shy away from starting Harris as a low-end RB2 or flex option on Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) has been officially listed as questionable to play this Sunday in Week 3 on the road against the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbert said on Friday that he suffered a high right-ankle sprain in the Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers, although he did return to practice on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday. High-ankle sprains can keep players out for multiple weeks, so although Herbert has a high tolerance for pain, he could seriously be in danger of sitting out this weekend, which would be really bad news for the Bolts offense as they look to go 3-0. If Herbert doesn't gain clearance to play, Easton Stick would likely be under center, and the Chargers would most likely lean even more on running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. A banged-up Herbert would be more of a low-end QB2 in fantasy if he's active on Sunday.