CHARLOTTE — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert stated Friday that his proper ankle damage has been identified as a excessive ankle sprain. He’s formally listed as questionable for Sunday’s sport on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When requested if he expects to play in Pittsburgh, Herbert stated, “It’s one thing that has but to be determined.” Herbert stated he was not informed the grade of the excessive ankle sprain.
“Fortunately it’s solely Friday,” Herbert stated after observe. He added that he plans to “do every little thing I can on and off the sphere to ensure that I’d be accessible.”
If Herbert can’t play, the Chargers have two different quarterbacks on their roster: Easton Stick and Taylor Heinicke. For every of the primary two video 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 coaching camp and the preseason.
Justin Herbert off to the aspect throughout staff stretch immediately. Can see some vital taping on his proper ankle. pic.twitter.com/MtASspee8G
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 20, 2024
Coach Jim Harbaugh stated Wednesday that “proper now,” Stick was in line to begin if Herbert couldn’t play Sunday. He walked again these feedback Friday when requested if the plan remains to be to begin Stick if Herbert is out Sunday.
“Till I actually know precisely what Justin’s standing is, I’m not going to essentially reveal any of what the contingencies are,” Harbaugh stated.
Harbaugh added that he has “loads of religion” in each Stick and Heinicke.
Herbert didn’t take part in Friday’s observe regardless of being in full uniform at first of observe. Through the staff stretch interval, Herbert, who had his proper ankle closely taped, was working off to the aspect with the coaching workers, going by means of some gentle actions, together with sluggish dropbacks.
Because the staff intervals started, Herbert remained with the coaching workers. Media members have been solely allowed to look at the primary quarter-hour of observe.
Herbert had rejoined the staff by the conclusion of observe and had his helmet on as Harbaugh addressed the staff.
Herbert didn’t observe Wednesday and was listed as restricted for Thursday’s observe. Harbaugh was requested if Herbert had a setback along with his ankle, given the change in observe standing from Thursday to Friday.
“That was simply what was prescribed by the medical specialists, the trainers, docs,” Harbaugh stated.
He added: “That was not a part of my plan or something. As he does every little thing essential to get able to play on Sunday, which he’s doing, that’s what was a part of the method.”
When requested how a lot he has been capable of do in observe this week, Herbert stated, “Not a ton. I’ve form of thrown the ball just a little bit. Did some rehab immediately. Did every little thing that I may. However it’s simply seeing the way it feels and simply persevering with to progress from there.”
Herbert famous the ache degree in his ankle is “not nice,” although he stated it has been bettering “each day.”
“It’s simply ache,” Herbert stated. “I feel it’s motion, whether or not it’s forwards, sideways, it’s what it’s.”
Herbert stated he’ll undergo remedy, together with icing and compression, over the following two days earlier than deciding if he can play Sunday.
“If I step foot on the sphere, I need to really feel snug and know that I’m in a secure place, understanding that there are inherent dangers whereas taking part in soccer,” Herbert stated. “However having the ability to defend your self, transfer round and never take pointless hits, I feel so long as I’m ready to do this, then I feel the sport plan is open.”
Herbert missed most of coaching camp with a plantar fascia damage in his proper foot. This makes it two accidents in two months to the identical aspect. He stated these are “two impartial injures” and that the foot damage “has been corrected and stuck.”
Herbert has performed by means of accidents beforehand in his profession. In 2022, he suffered fractured rib cartilage in Week 2. He didn’t miss a sport. That very same season, he tore the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder in Week 17. He performed by means of that damage, as properly. He had surgical procedure on the labrum after the season. In 2023, he fractured a finger on his non-throwing hand in Week 4. He didn’t miss a sport due to that damage.
“Accidents are sadly a part of the sport, and you need to do every little thing you’ll be able to to restrict these as finest you’ll be able to,” Herbert stated. “You’re by no means going to have the ability to take them out utterly as a result of it’s a harmful sports activities. It’s bodily.”
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(Photograph: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Pictures)
