Chargers QB Easton Stick makes first NFL start vs. Raiders
Justin Herbert had started 62 consecutive regular-season games plus one playoff game until suffering a season-ending right index finger injury Sunday
Thursday night in Las Vegas, for the first time since the Chargers’ season-opening game in 2006, someone other than Justin Herbert, Tyrod Taylor or Philip Rivers will be their starting quarterback. Easton Stick will take a snap from Will Clapp and join a select group of quarterbacks.
Say what you will about the Chargers’ wins and losses over the years, but their quarterbacks have been remarkably talented, stable and durable going back as far as Rivers’ assumption of the job after Drew Brees’ departure for the New Orleans Saints following the 2005 season.
Taylor made one start in 2020, after Rivers signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent after the 2019 season. Herbert took over after Taylor was scratched from a Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert then started 62 consecutive regular-season games plus one playoff game.
Now, with Herbert sidelined by season-ending finger surgery, it’s Stick’s turn.
It would not be fair to assume there’s nothing at stake when Stick and the Chargers face their longtime rivals, the Raiders. True, each team is mathematically alive in the AFC playoff race, but realistically, it would seem far-fetched for either to rally from their 5-8 records to make the postseason.
Stick, 28, certainly could reinforce his value to the Chargers after spending five seasons as a backup to Rivers, Taylor and Herbert and extend his career with a strong showing in the final four games of the 2023 season. He showed glimpses of what he could do after Herbert was hurt this past Sunday.
“No nerves,” Stick said earlier in the week. “Maybe on Thursday. It’s kind of standard for everybody before you go out there. … I’m not worried. I’m just going to go out there and play. There’s going to be good (plays) and there’s going to be bad (plays), just like there were on Sunday. … It’s football. It’s not perfect.”
Stick’s relief appearance in the Chargers’ 24-7 loss to the Denver Broncos was the longest of his career. Actually, it was only the second in the NFL, after a stellar collegiate career at North Dakota State, which included three NCAA FCS championships in four seasons.
Herbert exited the game and Stick entered with 1:52 left in the first half Sunday.
The Chargers trailed 10-0 by halftime and then by 17-0 before Stick led them on a 94-yard drive for their only touchdown, a 3-yard run by running back Austin Ekeler with 10:37 remaining. It was a good warmup for Stick for Thursday. After all, he hadn’t played since an exhibition game Aug. 25.
“It was good to move the football,” said Stick, who completed 13 of 24 passes for 179 yards, including passes to rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston for gains of 57 and 22 yards on the touchdown drive. “Obviously, explosive plays are a huge part of that. If you can get them, it makes it a lot easier.”
Stick said his preparation for Thursday night’s game against the Raiders wouldn’t vary dramatically from how got ready for last Sunday’s game.
“It’s not much different other than the fact that there’s some certainty behind it,” he said of starting instead of backing up against the Raiders. “You know from the first snap you’ll be out there. You have to prepare like you’re the guy every week. That’s part of it. Obviously, you’re balancing that with helping Justin, with helping the other guys get ready to play. Beyond that, especially in a short week when you’re not really practicing anyway, it’s really similar.”
No question, the Chargers have faith in Stick. They have no choice, at this point.
“He gives us a great look every week,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said of facing Stick in practice. “When he got in the game, you saw the throws that he was able to make, some of the plays he was able to make. I have all of the confidence in him. We’re going to be behind him and have his back, as a defense.”
Chargers at Raiders
When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday
Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
TV/Radio: Prime Video/98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)