Jul 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks to the media after the first day of training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Chargers have gotten off to a strong start this season. New head coach Jim Harbaugh has the Chargers playing an old-school, smashmouth brand of football, and they are 2-0 after victories over the Las Vegas Raiders and the Carolina Panthers.

Harbaugh seems to have unlocked both the running game with engine J.K, Dobbins, as well as maximizing the potential of quarterback Justin Herbert; but per league insider Ari Meirov, Herbert was unavailable for practice to start the week.

This would be an especially tough blow to Harbaugh and the Chargers, as they are set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, in a clash of unbeaten teams.

“Chargers QB Justin Herbert (ankle) did not practice today to start the week. LA has the #Steelers on Sunday in a battle of undefeated teams,” Meirov said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.

Fans on social media reacted to what would be a devastating blow for Los Angeles.

People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
62min
The Play-By-Play
LeBron James undercovered, The Ringer hires four, Deshaun Watson injury reactions
The NBA season starts on Tuesday and the media side of the sport is headed for massive change. Is LeBron James "undercovered" by sports media? The Ringer hires four including Todd McShay. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the reaction to Deshaun Watson's Achilles tear on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:35: ESPN still looking for third person in top NBA broadcast team-9:36: TNT’s final year with the NBA-17:51: LeBron James being “undercovered” by media-22:49: The Ringer hiring-36:36: Deshaun Watson-49:45: Defending CFB conference realignment-53:11: Unrivaled partnering with Warner Bros. DiscoveryYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Shannon Sharpe sex on IG Live, The Athletic pivoting, Jason Kelce all over ‘MNF’
Shannon Sharpe accidentally posting himself having sex on Instagram Live. Is a Pistons beat writer moving to cover the Knicks a sign of change for The Athletic? Was sports media being condescending toward Tua Tagovailoa? Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss all that and more, including ESPN getting their money's worth for Jason Kelce this Monday night on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:16: Shannon Sharpe having sex on Instagram Live-13:00: The Athletic pivoting away from local coverage?-27:31: Congress proposing sports gambling legislation-41:21: Pro athletes getting endorsement deals within sports betting companies-47:46: Jason Kelce was all over ESPN Monday night-51:25: Sports media conversation about Tua Tagovailoa’s concussionYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN cancels 'Around the Horn,' Jake Fischer joins us
ESPN is pulling the plug on "Around the Horn" after nearly a quarter century on the air. Tom Brady continues his first year as a broadcaster. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, with guest Jake Fischer from The Stein Line, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:25: ESPN canceling “Around the Horn” in 2025-15:26: Jake Fischer comes on The Play-By-Play-48:38: Views From the Subreddit-59:28: Tom Brady on Fox-1:03:24: John Fanta on X SpacesYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Looking ahead at 2025 in sports media with AA head Ben Koo
As we enter 2025, we take a look at some sports media storylines in the next year. Awful Announcing publisher Ben Koo discusses those topics with Play-By-Play hosts Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen.Time Stamps:-1:29: College football changes-14:19: Social media and sports-29:25: NBA and their new media partners-39:31: UFC media rights-50:08: Launch of ESPN Flagship-1:01:22: Where does Bill Simmons go?-1:02:54: Where does Colin Cowherd go?-1:07:35: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract-1:12:03: How long does Tom Brady last at Fox?-1:12:24: Top ESPN NBA booth in 2025-26?-1:14:50: Bold predictions for 2025You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Eww they can’t afford to have him down for game hopefully it’s being on the cautious side for,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“He’s playing don’t get your hopes up steeler fans, this is just rest,” one hopefully fan said.

“Steelers are gonna be the most fraudulent 3-0 team of all time my goodness,” another person wrote.

“Nah he better play Sunday. I don’t want any excuses if we end up winning,” one Steelers fan added.

It’ll be interesting to see how the injury plays out and what it means for one of the most important games of the young season.

About Qwame Skinner

Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. At Next Impulse, Qwame covers sports with the same enthusiasm he brings to his recreational basketball and softball leagues.