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Unfortunate Development Emerges for Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 11:14 PM ET

Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, after starting the 2025 NFL season with a 3-0 record, have dropped the last two games, falling to 3-2 after a 27-10 loss to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Now, in Week 6, the Chargers will look to end the winning drought as they hit the road to face Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins.

To begin his sixth NFL season, Herbert has played well, throwing for 1,229 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions while adding another 153 yards on the ground. And despite having playmakers such as Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, Herbert's favorite target has been wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who has recorded 26 catches for team-highs of 377 yards and four touchdowns.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass against the Washington Commanders.Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Following the loss to the Commanders, his least productive game of the season, Johnston popped up on the injury report with a hamstring issue. The 2023 first-round pick was a limited participant in practice throughout the week and was initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.

But on Saturday night, ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler revealed that Johnston is now expected to miss the Chargers vs. Dolphins matchup, leaving Herbert without his top pass catcher.

"Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (questionable, hamstring) is trending toward missing Sunday’s game vs. Dolphins, per source," Fowler wrote on X. "Barring late change, L.A. expected to be without another playmaker."

Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (questionable, hamstring) is trending toward missing Sunday’s game vs. Dolphins, per source.

Barring late change, L.A. expected to be without another playmaker.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 12, 2025

The Chargers also initially listed four other players as questionable, including linebacker Bud Dupree (hamstring), fullback Scott Matlock (ankle), linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and lineman Jamaree Salyer (knee).

Herbert and the Chargers will face the Dolphins on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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