Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert missed the first phase of voluntary OTAs, but returned this past week.
However, Herbert didn’t throw at OTAs on Tuesday as a precautionary move. Instead, he worked on his footwork and practiced a throwing motion in individual drills while holding a green medical ball. Herbert also handed the ball off in team drills.
The 28-year-old emphasized the decision was more of a preventative measure for his arm.
“It was an opportunity to rest today and work on my footwork. Something that we talked about yesterday and probably maybe once a week, something just to do,” Herbert said.”I think it’s just being smart about my arm. Understanding that it’s June and there’s a lot of time to train and to work. Mike [McDaniel] thought it was helpful for my footwork to be able to pick up my footwork and not have to worry about throwing the ball right now.”
Since Herbert wasn’t throwing on Tuesday, Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei split reps at quarterback. Lance, who signed a one-year, $6.75 million contract to return to LA this season, completed his first four passes in 7-on-7 drills but was nearly picked off.
Uiagalelei earned the highlight of the day when he placed a perfect pass over the middle to JaQuae Jackson over the hands of veteran safety Derwin James.
There are still several weeks before the start of the season and the Chargers will need Herbert in every single matchup of the 2026 campaign. The Bolts have one of the toughest schedules in the league this year, which means they’ll need to take all the wins they can get.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Why Justin Herbert didn’t throw at Chargers OTAs on Tuesday