Quarterback Justin Herbert was one of five Chargers picked by the NFL on Tuesday to participate in the Pro Bowl Games, to be conducted over several days and culminating with a flag football game Feb. 3 in San Francisco, ahead of the Super Bowl on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara.
Tackle Joe Alt, kicker Cameron Dicker, safety Derwin James Jr. and outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu also were selected to represent the Chargers. Cornerback Donte Jackson, outside linebacker Khalil Mack, fullback Scott Matlock and special teams ace Del’Shawn Phillips were picked as alternates.
Herbert earned his second Pro Bowl selection in consensus voting by fans, players and coaches to determine the 88 all-star players. James was picked for the fifth time in his career. Alt and Dicker were first-time selections to a series of contests, which have replaced the traditional games.
Herbert is the first player in NFL history to pass for 3,000 yards or more with 20 touchdown passes or more in the first six seasons of his career. He has passed for 3,491 yards, eighth most in the league going into Week 17, and has 25 TD passes, tied with the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen for fifth.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh called Herbert’s 300-yard, three-TD performance in the playoff-bound Chargers’ 34-17 victory Sunday over the Dallas Cowboys “fantastic” and “MVP-caliber.” Herbert threw two touchdown passes and scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a third score in the first half of Sunday’s game.
Alt suffered a season-ending ankle injury Nov. 2. Dicker has maintained his title as the NFL’s most accurate kicker (94.1%) in history, making 36 of 38 this season (94.7%). James is the Chargers’ second-leading tackler with 86. Tuipulotu has a career-best 13 sacks, tied for third in the league.
More to come on this story.