Neither Stick or Perez has given the Chargers much reason to feel good about their situation behind Herbert, but Los Angeles has not panicked, instead trusting their plan with Herbert. His return to practice Monday is not yet the all-clear sign Chargers fans are hoping for, but the start of a period in which they can be expected to ramp up Herbert in preparation for the regular season.

After battling through injuries to start 13 games before watching his season end prematurely due to season-ending surgery on his broken right index finger, health remains the top priority concerning the Chargers’ franchise quarterback. They’ll need him to be ready to go for Jim Harbaugh’s first season at the helm in Los Angeles, and Monday was a positive step toward achieving that goal.