3 Snaps & Done: Herbert’s Preseason Statement
Justin Herbert’s Super Short Preseason Debut: What Happened?
Welcome to Football 101! If you’re new to the NFL, don’t worry—we’ll explain everything like you’re five years old. No confusing jargon, just the fun stuff.
What Is a Preseason Game Anyway?
Think of preseason games like practice matches before the real season starts.
- They don’t count toward wins or losses
- Coaches use them to test new plays and see how players perform
- Star players (like Justin Herbert) usually play very little—just enough to knock off the rust
The Big News: Herbert Barely Played
On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Chargers played the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason game.
Justin Herbert—the Chargers’ star quarterback—was on the field. But if you blinked, you missed him.
Important Point
Herbert played exactly THREE SNAPS. That’s it. One drive. Three plays. Then he was done for the night.
A "snap" is when the center hikes the ball to the quarterback to start a play. Three snaps = three plays total.
Play-by-Play: The Three Snaps
Here’s exactly what happened on Herbert’s only drive, step by step:
| Play # | What Happened | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Snap | Omarion Hampton (running back) ran the ball and lost 1 yard | The Chargers started behind where they began. Not great! |
| 2nd Snap | Herbert completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Charlie Kolar while rolling left | Herbert moved left before throwing. Good gain! |
| 3rd Snap | 3rd-and-2 (need 2 yards for a new set of downs). Herbert threw downfield to Ladd McConkey but missed completely | Incomplete pass. Drive over. |
Why Did They Punt?
After three plays, the ball was at the Los Angeles 43-yard line (that’s 43 yards from their own end zone).
Since it was 4th down (last chance) and they didn’t get the 2 yards they needed, the Chargers punted—kicked the ball away to the other team.
Important Point
This is totally normal for preseason! Star quarterbacks often play just one series (one drive) to get a feel for the game speed, then sit down to avoid injury risk.
What Happened Next?
Trey Lance came in at quarterback for the Chargers’ second drive later in the first quarter.
- Lance is the backup quarterback
- He got much more playing time to show what he can do
- This is his chance to prove he’s a reliable #2 option
Summary
- Justin Herbert played Thursday night vs the 49ers (preseason)
- Only 3 snaps / 1 drive / 3 plays total
- Result: Three-and-out (no first down, had to punt)
- Plays: Run for -1 yard → 9-yard completion → Incomplete pass on 3rd down
- Trey Lance replaced him for the rest of the game
- This is 100% normal for a star QB in preseason
FAQ
Why did Herbert only play three plays?
Because it’s preseason! The games don’t count. Coaches want their star players to get a tiny bit of real-game action, then sit them down so they don’t get hurt before the real games start.
What does "three-and-out" mean?
It means the offense had three plays (three downs) to gain 10 yards and get a "first down" (a fresh set of downs). They failed, so they had to punt on 4th down.
Who is Mike McDaniel?
He’s the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator—the coach who designs the plays and calls them during the game. This was his first game calling plays for Herbert in a real stadium setting.
What does "rolling left" mean?
Instead of standing still in the pocket, Herbert ran/moved to his left before throwing. This helps him see the field better and avoids pass rushers.
Is Trey Lance the new starter?
No. Lance is the backup quarterback. Herbert is the undisputed starter. Lance is just getting valuable practice reps in case he ever needs to step in.
Enjoy the football season! Preseason is just the appetizer—the main course starts soon.