After winning the first two games of the 2024 NFL season, defeating the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders and following it up with a blowout win over the lowly Carolina Panthers, the Los Angeles Chargers are dealing with a problematic situation with star quarterback Justin Herbert heading into their Week 3 game on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Herbert revealed he is dealing with a high ankle sprain, which is not an injury many professional athletes, in the NFL or any other sport, bounce back from quickly.
Even though the injury should keep him sidelined, especially with how much he means to the team in the long-term, the Chargers are listing him as questionable, and Herbert is holding out hope he can face the Steelers.
“Thankfully it’s only Friday,” Herbert said, via Kris Rhim of ESPN.
Justin Herbert said it’s “yet to be decided” whether he’ll play Sunday. He said the injury is a high right ankle sprain. Also said the pain is “not great.”
“Thankfully it’s only Friday.” pic.twitter.com/cPfcDhl4d7
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 20, 2024
It seems as though the Chargers’ brass is downplaying the injury, and a handful of NFL insiders seem skeptical based on the tape job Herbert was sporting at practice.
“Significant” might be an understatement on that tape job. https://t.co/2XuioKlgcY
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 20, 2024
I would describe it as all the tape. https://t.co/Z0pT5j1gTZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2024
Underselling the tape job by calling it “significant.” Lotta tape. https://t.co/6ZTBgmpYce
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) September 20, 2024
The matchup against the Steelers will be the toughest yet for the Chargers, especially on the road in a hostile environment against a team that also hasn’t lost a game in the 2024 campaign.
If Herbert is unable to take the field, the Chargers likely will turn to backup Easton Stick, with Taylor Heinicke also available to face a very tough Pittsburgh defense.
