Jim Harbaugh, LA Chargers sign top UFL quarterback Luis Perez during preseason camp

The Chargers opted to add a fifth quarterback, now that Justin Herbert is slowed in training camp, signing UFL star Luis Perez.

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh is installing a new offense during training camp. And Herbert’s injury occurred at an unfortunate time. The quarterback will be in a walking boot for probably another two weeks as he deals with a plantar fascia issue.

With Herbert watching from the sidelines, the Chargers had Easton Stick, Max Duggan and Casey Bauman on the depth chart. The team drafted Stick, the former North Dakota State star, in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Duggan was last year’s seventh-round pick. He led TCU to the national title game, months before. And Bauman is an undrafted free agent from Augustana.

Perez has experience in spring leagues and NFL training camps

Perez has been a fixture in spring football. He played for the Arlington Renegades the past two seasons. The Renegades are located outside Dallas and play at an arena next to the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium. Earlier this year, Perez led the UFL (the merger of the XFL and USFL) in passing (2,309 yards), completions (225), and touchdowns (18). In the Renegades final season in the XFL, he helped lead Arlington to the league championship.

In college, Perez played for Texas A&M-Commerce, leading the team to the 2017 NCAA Division II championship. Perez also won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the top player in Division II.

Perez isn’t solely a spring league guy. He landed with the Rams, and spent a week on the practice squad, after not getting drafted in 2018. He’s actually done two stints with that other team in Los Angeles. He also has spent time with the Eagles and Lions. But he never got far into training camp with any of the teams. One thing likely in Perez’s favor when it came to the Chargers. His offensive coordinator in Arlington was Chuck Long, the former Rams quarterback. Long also was a star quarterback at Iowa, so he and Harbaugh used to face off against each other in the Big Ten.

Meanwhile, Herbert’s injury has slowed down the Chargers offense. The team scrimmaged the Rams, Sunday. Stick took the reps with the first-team offense, which stayed vanilla in play calls throughout the scrimmage.

Chargers open preseason schedule Saturday against Seahawks

The Chargers play host to the Seahawks this Saturday to kickoff the preseason. The team will most want Herbert to be ready for the season opener against the Raiders in September. He injured his right foot a week ago. At the time, the Chargers said:

“Following yesterday’s practice, Justin Herbert was diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot,” the statement said. “Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot. Followed by a graduated return to play protocol. With the expectation that he will be ready for the start of the regular season.”