EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – True to his nature, Jim Harbaugh is looking at the silver lining as he navigates his first training camp with the Los Angeles Chargers, while star quarterback Justin Herbert is recovering from a foot injury.

Herbert is currently working through a plantar fascia injury in his right foot but is anticipated to be fit for the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 8 at SoFi Stadium. However, he is still wearing a walking boot. Although it’s possible to imagine worse situations for a franchise that aims for rejuvenation, especially with Harbaugh transitioning back into the NFL after leading Michigan to a national championship fraught with controversies, it’s less than ideal to start the season without the team’s key player fully engaged. With the injury, Herbert might miss two to four weeks, missing vital practice time.

“Not all work is being done on the practice field,” Harbaugh shared with YSL News Sports after a recent practice. “That’s just a small part of the day. It’s crucial, but there’s a lot going on in terms of mental preparation, watching film, and building connections.”

“Justin has matured to the point where he’s not just leading the offensive plays but the entire team. He’s been remarkable at this throughout his career. Back in mid-April, he displayed an excellent understanding of the offense.”

As expected from Harbaugh, there’s hardly any indication of him being anxious. He remains calm, showing no signs of panic or sympathy. Injuries are simply part of the game, and teams have made playoff runs with backup quarterbacks—some even winning Super Bowls under such circumstances.

However, Herbert is a seasoned fifth-year player who has thrown for more yards than any other player in NFL history during their first three seasons. Pairing his talent with Harbaugh’s expertise as a former NFL quarterback presents enticing possibilities. Still, the potential setbacks must be concerning.

“Even if he could practice, he’s not able to right now,” Harbaugh noted. “So let’s focus on what we can accomplish. He’s committed to doing whatever it takes to prepare for that opening game.”

Harbaugh refrained from commenting on the NCAA sanctions imposed last week, which prevent him from coaching at the college level for the next four years due to recruitment violations. Meanwhile, the NFL has yet to announce whether it will look into Harbaugh’s situation. Nevertheless, the possibility of NFL scrutiny didn’t stop teams from vying for Harbaugh as a coaching talent.

The immediate concern revolves around his quarterback. A critical indicator of progress could emerge this week if Herbert is able to remove his walking boot. When the Chargers disclosed the injury, they anticipated he would wear the boot for about two weeks before starting the return-to-play protocol after receiving medical clearance. As of Monday, Herbert was still in the boot, and Harbaugh indicated to the media that there were no updates. In the past two weeks, aside from the behind-the-scenes work Harbaugh mentioned, Herbert has been observing practices and working out in the weight room.

Moreover, contingency plans are in place. Herbert’s absence has allowed Easton Stick, who previously filled in for four games last season when Herbert was sidelined with a fractured finger and lost all four, to receive first-team practice reps. Doubts arise regarding how prepared Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman would feel if Stick, a sixth-year veteran, must step up again for a significant role.

The Chargers stumbled in their preseason opener against the Seahawks on Saturday, further raising concerns. With Stick as the quarterback, the team failed to secure a first down on their initial six possessions, finishing with 5-of-13 passing for just 31 yards, along with an interception and a dismal passer rating of 14.6.

When asked if there is a real competition for the backup quarterback position, Harbaugh didn’t dismiss the idea. Following last week’s addition of Luis Perez, who previously topped the UFL in passing and led the Arlington Renegades to an XFL title, the Chargers now have four quarterbacks on their roster.

“Yeah, I want to create that competition for Easton and the team,” Harbaugh stated. “Competition encourages excellence.”

This philosophy extends to Harbaugh himself, who has a well-documented success rate as a coach. He aims to establish a robust team that can support a healthy Herbert with a powerful running game featuring former Ravens running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, bolstered by first-round draft choice Joe Alt. Yet the wide receiver lineup has seen significant changes following the exits of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Defensively, the Chargers ranked 28^th in the NFL in yards allowed last season and have brought on Jesse Minter as the new coordinator, who followed Harbaugh from Michigan. They boast a strong edge-rushing unit with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, supported by free agent Bud Dupree and a secondary led by standout safety Derwin James.

Nonetheless, the challenge of revamping a team that finished last season with a 5-12 record is significant, particularly while competing in a division that the Chiefs dominate after winning two consecutive Super Bowls.