CHARLOTTE — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said Friday that his right ankle injury has been diagnosed as a high ankle sprain. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When asked if he expects to play in Pittsburgh, Herbert said, “It’s something that has yet to be decided.” Herbert said he was not told the grade of the high ankle sprain.
“Thankfully it’s only Friday,” Herbert said after practice. He added that he plans to “do everything I can on and off the field to make sure that I’d be available.”
If Herbert cannot play, the Chargers have two other quarterbacks on their roster: Easton Stick and Taylor Heinicke. For each of the first two games of the season, Stick was the backup, and Heinicke was the emergency third quarterback. The Chargers traded for Heinicke in late August after Stick struggled in training camp and the preseason.
Justin Herbert off to the side during team stretch today. Can see some significant taping on his right ankle. pic.twitter.com/MtASspee8G
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 20, 2024
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that “right now,” Stick was in line to start if Herbert could not play Sunday. He walked back those comments Friday when asked if the plan is still to start Stick if Herbert is out Sunday.
“Until I really know exactly what Justin’s status is, I’m not going to really reveal any of what the contingencies are,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh added that he has “a lot of faith” in both Stick and Heinicke.
Herbert did not participate in Friday’s practice despite being in full uniform at the start of practice. During the team stretch period, Herbert, who had his right ankle heavily taped, was working off to the side with the training staff, going through some light movements, including slow dropbacks.
As the team periods began, Herbert remained with the training staff. Media members were only allowed to watch the first 15 minutes of practice.
Herbert had rejoined the team by the conclusion of practice and had his helmet on as Harbaugh addressed the team.
Herbert did not practice Wednesday and was listed as limited for Thursday’s practice. Harbaugh was asked if Herbert had a setback with his ankle, given the change in practice status from Thursday to Friday.
“That was just what was prescribed by the medical experts, the trainers, doctors,” Harbaugh said.
He added: “That was not part of my plan or anything. As he does everything necessary to get ready to play on Sunday, which he is doing, that’s what was part of the process.”
When asked how much he has been able to do in practice this week, Herbert said, “Not a ton. I’ve kind of thrown the ball a little bit. Did some rehab today. Did everything that I could. But it’s just seeing how it feels and just continuing to progress from there.”
Herbert noted the pain level in his ankle is “not great,” though he said it has been improving “every day.”
“It’s just pain,” Herbert said. “I think it’s movement, whether it’s forwards, sideways, it is what it is.”
Herbert said he will go through treatment, including icing and compression, over the next two days before deciding if he can play Sunday.
“If I step foot on the field, I want to feel comfortable and know that I’m in a safe place, understanding that there are inherent risks while playing football,” Herbert said. “But being able to defend yourself, move around and not take unnecessary hits, I think as long as I’m able to do that, then I think the game plan is open.”
Herbert missed most of training camp with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. This makes it two injuries in two months to the same side. He said these are “two independent injures” and that the foot injury “has been corrected and fixed.”
Herbert has played through injuries previously in his career. In 2022, he suffered fractured rib cartilage in Week 2. He did not miss a game. That same season, he tore the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder in Week 17. He played through that injury, as well. He had surgery on the labrum after the season. In 2023, he fractured a finger on his non-throwing hand in Week 4. He did not miss a game because of that injury.
“Injuries are unfortunately part of the game, and you have to do everything you can to limit those as best you can,” Herbert said. “You’re never going to be able to take them out completely because it’s a dangerous sports. It’s physical.”
Required reading
(Photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
