Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was a full participant in Friday’s practice and has no injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the other hand, rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey was once again a limited participant and will be questionable (knee/shoulder injuries) for Week 15.
Herbert missed practice Wednesday with a sprained left ankle and left thigh contusion. He was upgraded to a limited participant Thursday before practicing in full Friday. Both of those injuries were suffered in the team’s Week 14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He missed only one play in the game, but later acknowledged that the injuries limited the Chargers playcalling.
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Those are just the latest ailments in what has been an injury-riddled season for the quarterback. Herbert missed three weeks of training camp with a plantar fascia injury. He sustained the right high ankle sprain in a Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers. He finished that game but was in a walking boot in the locker room afterward.
Herbert started the next week at the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was knocked out of the game in the third quarter after taking a hit. Herbert started the following week at the Chiefs, but he was far from 100 percent. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said last week that Herbert “could barely move” in that game.
On Wednesday, Herbert said this ankle injury is “probably not as severe” as the sprain he previously had. Over the past few weeks, Herbert has been wearing a sleeve on his left leg. He said that he has been dealing with swelling in his left knee, which he called a “separate injury” from the ankle sprain and thigh contusion.
This season, Herbert has thrown for 2,764 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception. He has the Chargers positioned for a wild card spot as they hold a two-game advantage over the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts with four weeks left.
McConkey was inactive in Week 14 with knee and shoulder injuries. He has been a limited participant all week in practice — similar to last week. The Chargers’ second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was initially injured in the team’s Week 13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons
The Georgia product has emerged as Herbert’s go-to-target as he holds the team lead in receptions (58), receiving yards (815), yards after catch (262), receiving first downs (38) and plays of 20 yards or more (10). In 12 games, he has added four touchdowns.
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(Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
