Why Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert are 'OK' with preseason reps vs. Rams 

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has never played a game in the NFL preseason.

That will change in 2025, though, as head coach Jim Harbaugh revealed that Herbert and several other Chargers starters are expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.

"Our guys want to play," Harbaugh said on Thursday, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. "They want the first series of the season not to be the first series of the season."

For Herbert, it's more than just getting his feet wet in the preseason. Sure, there's something to be said about strapping on the shoulder pads and going through your pregame routine as a starter. Herbert wants to feel a bit of pressure against the Rams, though. 

"It's important to see a pass rush and get a feel for getting the ball out and just seeing a game before you actually play [in the regular season]," Herbert explained, via Chargers.com.

He was the one who came to Harbaugh to propose getting live reps in this preseason contest.

For Herbert, there's value in getting the feel of a "live" pass-rush that's trying to take him down. That's something quarterbacks can't simulate in practice — even in joint practices against other teams. So, the only way to get those preseason jitters out is to face a group of defensive linemen who are trying to sack him.

Is the value of getting that timing down worth the risk of getting injured?

It seems like Herbert thinks so, and Harbaugh agrees.

"It was actually me going to him and saying, 'Hey, would it be OK if I went in and played?' Because I think in years past the plan was to rest," Herbert explained. "But I wanted to go out there and feel the pass rush because in practice, as a quarterback, you don't always get the true feeling of the pass rush."

Harbaugh plans to get his starters a series or two before removing them. There was a time when the third preseason game would see starters play for a half, if not more, but that time has come and gone in the NFL.

As long as Herbert works on his timing and remains unscathed, both he and Harbaugh will be happy with a short day at the office.