Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was sidelined with an ankle injury during the team's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, cutting his Sunday stint shorter than hoped. Despite previous concerns about his right ankle, which he initially injured against the Carolina Panthers last week, Herbert was cleared to play after a pre-game warm-up. However, he was swapped out for backup Taylor Heinicke following a sack by the Steelers' Elandon Roberts that left him visibly hurt. According to an article from KTLA, Herbert completed 12 of 18 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown before the incident forced him off the field.
Herbert, who had managed to accurately connect with Quentin Johnston on a 27-yard touchdown, couldn't escape growing soreness, which spiked after the detrimental sack. "I did everything I could to go back in there," Herbert told Fox Sports, explaining his attempt to push through the pain. "I didn't feel like I could move around or really push off of it." His day ended with 125 passing yards, but the setback came amidst a game where the Chargers' rushing effort also struggled, posting a meager 61 yards on 20 carries.
The injury diagnosis was a high ankle sprain, as reported by NBC News, bringing a slight sigh of relief that x-rays came back negative. Despite the optimistic medical report, Herbert left the stadium in a walking boot and his availability for the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs remains uncertain. Heinicke, who completed both his pass attempts after taking over for Herbert, was swallowed by the pressure twice for sacks in the final Chargers possession, further highlighting the team's offensive woes for the afternoon.
"I knew Justin wasn't going to take himself out," Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh commented post-game, stepping in to make the call in favor of Herbert’s long-term health. In a statement obtained by Fox Sports, Harbaugh indicated that decisions like these are never easy but are sometimes necessary: "Not every game is going to be a fairytale ending." As for the fighting spirit of the team, Harbaugh remained positive. "But we'll come fighting back," he assured. Chargers fans and Herbert enthusiasts alike surely await more definitive news on their quarterback's ability to quickly bounce back from this latest setback.
