Justin Herbert is feeling the heat. Just days ago, Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said he wouldn’t rank Herbert in the top five, placing him closer to the top 10. On top of that, the quarterback is dealing with health issues among key teammates as the season rolls on. Los Angeles Chargers‘ head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media on September 19 post-practice, where he revealed LB Daiyan Henley’s status for the week 3 game against the Broncos.

When asked if the LB recovered from the illness, he said, “Still working through some of it and trying to get him ready. He didn’t practice today, so we’re getting him ready for Sunday.” However, he concluded his final thoughts about the player’s status with one word, “Questionable.”

Henley was already dealing with flu-like symptoms during Week 2 against the Raiders, but he still played well. The illness has carried over into Week 3, putting his status in doubt. Without the linebacker making run stops and underneath coverage, the rivals may force Justin Herbert to scramble and make quicker throws. So, it will be an interesting battle to watch.

Last year, Justin Herbert logged 41 sacks, the 7th most in the league. But during the offseason this year, RB Omarion Hampton gave major relief to the fans by pushing a sled, showing domination. This year, in the first two games, the rivals have already sacked Herbert 5 times. With Henley’s injury, it could become a domino effect, spiraling into a bigger mess for Jim Harbaugh.

The Bolts need to keep their signal caller stress-free as they move further into the season. Right now, he is in a great place, ranking among the top 5 in most metrics. With 560 passing yards (5th), 127.8 QB rating (3rd), 5 TDs (4th), and 9.2 yards per attempt (3rd), he has led the way for their 2-0 season.

Not only the injuries, but they are also keeping track of diet and nutrition.

Food requirements of Justin Herbert and his teammates

“We make sure that they receive the best quality ingredients, from fresh produce to the best protein. It’s about 600 pounds of protein daily,” Joel Ramirez, the Chargers’ executive chef, said. Justin Herbert and his teammates consume forty whole chickens. Meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

NFL teams have 53-man active rosters. Additional players on practice squads and injured reserve increase overall team size. When traveling, about 200 people go on the road with the team. At home, the number can be even higher. Feeding so many athletes is a major logistical challenge. The Chargers rely on experienced chefs and nutrition staff to provide nutritious, high-quality meals. Grant Harris, the Chargers’ director of performance nutrition, said local vendors are used whenever possible.

Menus are reviewed weekly and adjusted for practice and game schedules. Ramirez and his chefs design daily menus to meet players’ protein and nutritional requirements. Orders are made for the day, with a small surplus for the following day. Different positions require different nutrition. Offensive linemen consume three to five thousand calories daily. Wide receivers require slightly fewer calories. Ten players can clear an entire buffet in minutes.

The kitchen must stay ahead to ensure all meals are prepared on time. The Chargers serve over 50 players, more than 120 coaching staff, and roughly 120 business personnel daily. About 300 people are fed every day. Every meal includes protein, fresh produce, and complex carbohydrates. Snacks like energy bars, fruit, and nuts provide quick energy between meals. Ramirez and Harris coordinate carefully to maintain quality, freshness, and position-specific dietary requirements.

NFL kitchens like the Chargers’ are highly efficient. And they operate like a well-organized system to meet the enormous daily food demands of professional football players.