Herbert’s Grit Shines as Injury Sends Shockwaves Through Chargers’ Season
So, let me walk you through what’s happening with Justin Herbert right now, because this development has really shaken up the Chargers’ outlook. During Los Angeles’ 31–14 win over the Raiders on Sunday, Herbert suffered a break in a bone on the back of his left, non-throwing hand. The injury happened early, right after he finished leading a smooth 14-play touchdown drive capped by a 10-yard strike to Quentin Johnston. A hit from Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn sent him to the locker room, and suddenly there was real uncertainty about whether he’d even return.
Trey Lance had to step in briefly, but Herbert wasn’t done. He came back wearing a thick white glove and what looked like a splint on two of his fingers, and even though his first possession back ended with an interception in the red zone, it turned out to be his only mistake all afternoon. From there he settled in, adjusted to the discomfort, and still managed to guide the Chargers on three more touchdown drives. It was impressive, especially considering that the game plan had to be altered on the fly. Jim Harbaugh admitted afterward that getting under center was basically off the table, so the offense operated entirely out of the shotgun.
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Herbert finished 15 of 20 for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and just that one pick—good for a 108.5 passer rating. And truthfully, he didn’t have to carry the whole load. Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson took over in the run game, combining for 180 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Herbert was still sharp on third downs, though, converting eight of twelve with his usual precision. He even made a point afterward to praise Vidal and Patterson, saying how much he enjoys playing with them and how deserving they were of that success.
Now, the big question is whether he’ll be available for Week 14 against the Eagles. He’s undergoing surgery on Monday, but since it’s his non-throwing hand, there’s cautious optimism. Herbert himself said he’s treating it as if he’s playing next Monday night, though he also acknowledged that everyone will have a better sense of things once the procedure is done and the swelling settles.
The Chargers are 8–4, right in the thick of a crowded AFC wild-card race and still chasing the division-leading Broncos. They’ve dealt with rough patches and bounced back before, but everything becomes tougher when your franchise quarterback is battling an injury—especially one that restricts the playbook as much as this could.
So, while the win over the Raiders was crucial, the real story now is Herbert’s recovery. All eyes are going to be on how he responds to surgery this week, because the Chargers’ playoff hopes may hinge on just how well he can manage that injured hand.
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