Chargers vs. Rams: Five things to watch in preseason showdown

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes during training camp on July 17.

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

Justin Herbert will make his preseason debut, leading the offensive starters for “a series or two,” according to Harbaugh.

Ever the competitor, Herbert felt it was important to face a live pass rush and get a feel for the ball coming out of his hand before the regular season.

“It was actually me going to [Harbaugh] and saying, ‘Hey, would it be OK if I went in and played?’” Herbert said. “Because in years past, the plan was to rest and save those reps, but I wanted to go out there and see a pass rush, because in practice, as a quarterback, you don’t always get the true feeling.”

Those reps likely will be beneficial for Herbert, who was top five in quarterback hits (62) and blitzes faced (156), while being sacked 41 times in 2024, according to Pro Football Reference.

With rookies Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith and the returning Keenan Allen part of a new-look receiving corps, Herbert sees value in facing the Rams before the Chargers’ season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil.

“I just thought this was something that could be good for me, good for this team,” Herbert said.