After plantar fascia and ankle injuries, Herbert appears to be sound again.

What’s more, he’s formed strong connections with receivers Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, tight end Will Dissly and running back J.K. Dobbins. The big question is whether receiver Joshua Palmer (foot) and running back Gus Edwards (ankle) will be cleared to play Saturday against Houston.

If the Chargers were in search of reliable replacements for sure-handed veteran receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, who were jettisoned during the offseason in separate cost-cutting moves, then they have found them in Johnston and McConkey and, when healthy, Palmer, too.

Johnston set career highs with 13 catches for 186 yards Sunday, and McConkey caught five passes for 95 yards. Herbert threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders.

“Ideally, that’s when we’re at our best offensively,” Herbert said Sunday of having his choice of trusted receivers, tight ends and running backs. “It’s having all those guys, and having Ladd on third down, having (Johnston) and (Dissly), and even the running game we’ve had and putting those pieces together.

“When we’re able to do that, we’re playing our best football.”

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Left tackle Rashawn Slater was a late scratch for Sunday’s game because of knee discomfort during the pregame warmup. Rookie Joe Alt flipped from right tackle to left tackle to replace Slater. Trey Pipkins III shifted from right guard to right tackle and Jamaree Salyer took Pipkins’ spot at right guard.

Foster Sarell then replaced Pipkins after Pipkins was injured in the second half and Sam Mustipher also filled in on the line after the Chargers built a 21-point lead late in the game. The Chargers were content to use their depth as the game turned one-sided in the second half Sunday.

More information will be available on Slater and Pipkins when the Chargers return to the practice field Tuesday. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Sunday he expected Slater would undergo an MRI on his knee Monday, the results of which would be available later in the week.

elliott to join practice squad

The Chargers are planning to sign running back Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad pending a physical, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday night.

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move had not been completed.

Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 31 so that he could possibly sign with a playoff team seeking a veteran running back. The same thing happened last season when Dalvin Cook was cut by the New York Jets and played for Baltimore in a divisional-round win over Houston.