The Los Angeles Chargers let Justin Herbert play against the ferocious Pittsburgh Steelers front-7 for reasons I still don't quite understand. Herbert was questionable to play all week, and rushed back from a high-ankle sprain to face, of all defenses, one of the best pass-rushing units in football.
Now, if Herbert was truly ready to play, the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh were right to let him go out there. However, if he wasn't 100 percent or at risk of re-aggravating said injury, doing so was a mistake that could come back to haunt them.
Herbert was pulled after a third-and-18 play against the Steelers. Injury analysts quickly called out the Chargers for putting him out there in the first place.
Joe Mixon last week.
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 22, 2024
Justin Herbert this week.
I don’t understand why teams let these guys try to play through high ankle sprains. Risk of making it worse.
Looks like Herbert aggravated his left high ankle and limped off.
pic.twitter.com/E71IsvlolR
Justin Herbert injury update: When will Chargers QB return?
UPDATE; Hebert missed the rest of the game against the Steelers and was seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot.
Justin Herbert is in a walking boot leaving Acrisure Stadium, and says he’s sore now but felt comfortable going into the game. He said he was getting sore throughout the game and then on the hit that knocked him out really started to feel it.
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) September 22, 2024
Herbert was last seen walking gingerly on the sidelines. It's unclear if he will return to the game this week as of this writing, but backup Taylor Heinicke will see action in the meantime. Herbert looked more than capable in the first half against Pittsburgh, carving up a defense that was unable to get home with its patented pass rush. However, things can change quickly in the NFL, and eventually Herbert caught some heat courtesy of the Steelers front-seven.
For now, Herbert is questionable to return.
Chargers depth chart: Who will step in at QB without Justin Herbert?
The Chargers were smart enough to activate three quarterback for their Week 3 matchups against the Steelers. Should Herbert be forced to miss the rest of the game, here is what the Chargers QB depth chart looks like.
Chargers QB depth chart |
|---|
Justin Herbert (questionable to return) |
Taylor Heinicke |
Easton Stick |
Of these quarterbacks, Heinicke has the most game experience, as he is a former starting quarterback with the Washington Commanders. Heinicke is capable of leading the Chargers offense without Herbert for now, but any long-term injury diagnosis would be a major blow to their chances in the crowded AFC West.