QB Justin Herbert among 5 Chargers picked for Pro Bowl Games

EL SEGUNDO — 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 on Feb. 3 in San Francisco, ahead of the Super Bowl on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara.

Offensive 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.

Only the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, with six Pro Bowl selections each, had more picks than the Chargers. The Pro Bowl Games feature a skills competition as well as a 7-on-7 flag football game played at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco.

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.

Herbert also ran eight times for 42 yards on Sunday, including a 34-yard scramble that set up one of Dicker’s two field goals during Herbert’s most productive game since fracturing his left, non-throwing hand in the Chargers’ 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 30.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him and how he goes about his business every single day, and the kind of leadership he provides for all of his teammates,” Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said of Herbert. “He’s spot on every day like a true pro’s pro, trying to get better every day.”

Alt suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Nov. 2. Dicker has maintained his title as the NFL’s most accurate kicker (94.1%) in history, making 36 of 38 field goal attempts 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.

The selection of Alt was a surprise given that he played only six games before injuring his ankle in a victory over the Tennessee Titans. The selections of Dicker, James and Tuipulotu, in particular, were almost foregone conclusions given their contributions to the Chargers’ special teams and defensive units.

“To be rewarded for being the type of player he is and the work he puts in, that’s what you love to see for guys,” Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said of Tuipulotu, a third-year player from USC. “I remember conversations this year where I was saying the production is going to pop at some point because of the way this guy operates. Now, he’s up to 13 sacks and playing really well, playing dominant in the run game, dominant in the pass game.”

ROSTER MOVES

The Chargers signed running back Jaret Patterson to the active roster from the practice squad and signed running back Royce Freeman to the practice squad. Patterson has rushed for 129 yards and one touchdown on 32 carries in four games with the Chargers this season.