Chargers give a promotion to Justin Herbert’s brother

The 0-2 Los Angeles Chargers are hoping that some family matters can help turn things around.

On Saturday, the Chargers announced that they have elevated tight end Patrick Herbert to the active roster. Patrick is notably the younger brother of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

The Chargers need the help at the position ahead of Sunday’s Week 3 game against the Buffalo Bills. They just lost tight end David Njoku to a knee and fibula injury that now has him on injured reserve.

Meanwhile, Patrick is a 25-year-old tight end who went undrafted in 2025. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars for his rookie season but did not appear in a single game for them. Patrick then signed to the Chargers’ practice squad in late August, reuniting him with his former Pro Bowler brother Justin.

At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Patrick is a big body who might have some value as a blocker. But even with the Njoku injury, Patrick will probably only be third at best on the tight end depth chart behind new starter Oronde Gadsden and rookie Hayden Rucci.

Still, the Chargers will take any contribution that they can get after losing their first two games of the season after being heavily favored in both games. Now they are a big underdog against the Bills in Week 3 and will be hoping for some brotherly magic from Patrick (who has followed in Justin’s footsteps in more ways than one).