Chargers News: Latest On Justin Herbert's Status For May OTAs

Will LA's star quarterback be healthy in time for the team's voluntary spring workouts?

Dec 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the biggest offseason mystery facing your Los Angeles Chargers has been how LA will prepare to take its next step in the race for a Super Bowl appearance amidst a very crowded AFC.

But just second to that concern is another, fairly imperative one: will the Bolts' young star quarterback Justin Herbert, a 2022 Pro Bowler, be healthy in time for Organized Team Activities?

According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Los Angeles head coach Brandon Staley provided something of a non-update on the status of the team's most important player, indicating that Herbert's availability for May was "up in the air." 

"We're going to listen to the doctors, and I know he's making progress," Staley noted.

Herbert, 25, continues to rehabilitate from a labrum tear he incurred in his non-throwing shoulder in January.

The 6'6" fourth-year QB out of the University of Oregon has a heck of a 2022 season to live up to, so the sooner he can back at full speed the better.

In 2022, Herbert led the Chargers to a stellar 10-7 record and the club's first playoff appearance in four years, an eventual 31-30 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Wild Card round, despite having led 27-0.

Herbert suited up for every game of the regular season, passing for 4,739 yards at a career-best 68.2% completion rate. He also recorded 25 touchdowns (a significant dip from his 2021 Pro Bowl season career high of 38) against 10 interceptions, passing for an average of 6.8 yards per down, and notched a 93.2 rating or his efforts. He rushed for 147 yards.