Good morning StormCloud!

The Chargers are getting ready to take on the Pittsburg Steelers is what is bound to be a physical, defense-led slugfest.

Chargers fans have been anxiously awaiting the announcement of whether or not Justin Herbert will start this week after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Carolina Panthers last week. The “inactives” were just released, and there are two clear takeaways: Justin is trending towards starting… but the team also isn’t tipping their hand on whether Easton Stick or Taylor Heinicke is next up should the team have to sit Herbert down.

It may not look like much, but the decision to keep both Heinicke and Stick active is interesting. They could have elected to keep Stick or Heinicke in the emergency QB role to free up a roster spot elsewhere, but that would mean the emergency QB would only be available if the second-string QB was lost to injury.

By keeping both “active” for the game, it suggests they aren’t committed to one or the other. Stick may still be QB2, but this decision suggests he has a very short leash, and could be replaced by Heinicke for performance rather than injury. It’s a very interesting hedge, as every available roster spot is crucial on game day.

Be sure to follow along on the Article comment section, rather than the Forum, as it will update itself live and is suited much better for these heavy-traffic open threads!

BOLT UP, STORMCLOUD! LET’S GET TO 3-0!