INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In the NFL, a single injury to the quarterback can turn a team’s season upside down. While some teams have the quarterback depth needed to keep their hopes alive during recovery, the Los Angeles Chargers do not have that luxury.

The Chargers are struggling, having failed to score a single touchdown in their first two preseason games, marking a tough start for coach Jim Harbaugh.

After a disappointing outing from backup quarterback Easton Stick in the Chargers’ 13-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams—another local rival—Harbaugh emphasized the need for improvement. “We’re not going to lighten up; we’re going to tighten up,” he stated, expressing eagerness to see progress from Stick in practice. “I expect to see a better week from him.”

In the preseason opener, Stick managed only 31 passing yards with one interception on 13 attempts. He followed that with a fumble at the 1-yard line and another interception in the red zone against the Rams, along with several inaccurate throws.

“We need to stop hurting ourselves. It starts with me being cleaner,” Stick acknowledged. “In this league, the margin for error is razor-thin. You can’t afford to fumble or have penalties; it all adds up.”

Stick has seen limited playing time since being drafted by the Chargers in 2019. He was forced into the starting role late last season when Justin Herbert suffered a season-ending injury, finishing those games with an 0-4 record. Now, with Herbert sidelined due to a plantar fascia injury, Stick is back in the spotlight, albeit in preseason matches.

So far, Stick’s performances have not inspired confidence, as he has been outperformed by Luis Perez, a quarterback the Chargers signed less than two weeks ago.

“It’s all about scoring points,” Harbaugh remarked, noting the Chargers scored only 12 points in their first two preseason games. “You can’t fumble at the goal line or have turnovers in key situations. Those mistakes are unacceptable. We need to manage what we can control. Quarterbacks cannot afford to throw interceptions or fumble snaps. That has to be a constant focus.”

The ineffective quarterback play in support of Herbert has underscored the Chargers’ urgent need for a reliable backup option.

“We’re just not performing well enough,” Perez stated. “We have to keep improving and get better.”

Harbaugh dismissed the notion of bringing in his former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016, though some might find it ironic that Kaepernick could currently be the second-best quarterback on the Chargers’ roster.

On a positive note for Harbaugh and the Chargers, Herbert is on track to return before the start of the regular season. He has been seen throwing passes on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Rams after being freed from his walking boot.

<p”Harbaugh praised Herbert, calling him “one of the best starting quarterbacks in the world.”

Statistics certainly support Harbaugh’s assertion regarding Herbert’s abilities. Nonetheless, Harbaugh’s inaugural season as the Chargers’ head coach could be jeopardized if Herbert’s injury sidelines him for extended periods, unless a solid backup solution can be established.