Chargers Sign TE Patrick Herbert to Practice Squad, Reuniting Herbert Brothers

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad, reuniting him with his brother, quarterback Justin Herbert.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Chargers have signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. This transaction reunites the tight end with his older brother, starting quarterback Justin Herbert, for the first time since their tenure at the University of Oregon in 2019. During that final collegiate season together, Justin cemented his draft stock by throwing for 3,471 yards, 32 touchdowns, and only five interceptions as a senior. Meanwhile, Patrick was a freshman who appeared in just two games that year.

Patrick Herbert, who turns 26 in October, joins a roster led by the 28-year-old Justin, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The younger Herbert brother arrives in Los Angeles following a stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he signed as an undrafted free agent last season. Although he spent the duration of that year on Jacksonville's practice squad, he was elevated for the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans, though he remained a healthy scratch for the contest.

Collegiate Statistics and NFL Transition

During his three-season career at Oregon, Patrick Herbert participated in 41 games. He functioned primarily as a blocking tight end for the Ducks, accumulating 31 receptions for 388 yards and four touchdowns. His arrival at the Chargers facility marks the first time the siblings have shared a sideline since the 35-6 blowout victory by the Jaguars over the Chargers in Week 11 of the previous season. In that matchup, the brothers were on opposing sides for the first time in their professional careers.

Patrick now joins a tight end room under coach Jim Harbaugh that includes David Njoku, Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsden, and Scott Matlock. His role is expected to provide depth in the blocking schemes for the Los Angeles offense. The age gap between the two brothers is 2½ years, and this signing represents their first professional pairing after Justin’s five-year head start in the league.

Roster Depth and Offensive Impact

The Chargers' decision to add the 6-foot-5 tight end comes as the franchise navigates Jim Harbaugh's first season at the helm. Patrick Herbert’s experience is rooted in his 41-game collegiate sample size where he averaged 12.5 yards per catch across his four career scores. By securing a spot on the practice squad, he remains an option for elevation should the active roster require additional blocking support behind the primary rotation of Njoku and Kolar.

Justin Herbert’s statistical dominance at Oregon, highlighted by his 32-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, led to his high draft position, while Patrick has taken a different path through the undrafted free agent market. The brothers' previous lack of shared on-field time at the college level—due to Patrick's limited two-game freshman season—means this practice squad stint could offer their most significant period of professional collaboration to date. The move was reported on September 1, 2026, at 11:14 AM ET by ESPN’s Kris Rhim.