CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert mentioned Friday that docs identified him with a excessive proper ankle sprain. He mentioned his standing for Sunday’s recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers is “but to be determined.”
Herbert mentioned the ache in his ankle “will not be nice,” and he walked with a limp after his information convention.
“Fortunately, it is solely Friday,” Herbert mentioned. “It’s what it’s. It is all about getting remedy and ensuring that it is at its greatest and doing every thing I can to restrict the swelling, restrict the ache and simply hold issues transferring ahead.”
A supply informed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Herbert was feeling higher Saturday than he did Friday. The supply mentioned the Chargers are hopeful Herbert can play however might want to see how he feels Sunday earlier than making a last determination.
The Chargers have listed Herbert as questionable for Sunday’s recreation. He did not observe Wednesday or Friday this week and was restricted on Thursday.
Coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned Herbert not training Friday wasn’t an indication of any regression in Herbert’s restoration however relatively was a part of the plan set out by the athletic coaching workers.
“Each day, it has been getting higher,” Herbert mentioned. “It is simply getting it to some extent the place you are feeling snug going on the market and having the ability to transfer.”
On Wednesday, Harbaugh mentioned that quarterback Easton Stick could be the starter if Herbert could not play, however on Friday, Harbaugh appeared to backtrack on that assertion.
“Till I actually know precisely what Justin’s standing is, I am not going to actually reveal any of what the contingencies are,” he mentioned.
Herbert’s harm occurred within the third quarter of Sunday’s 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers. Herbert tried to flee the pocket however was pulled from behind by linebacker DJ Johnson and hit face-first by defensive finish Jayden Peevy concurrently, inflicting his decrease physique to get trapped underneath Johnson.
Herbert walked off the sphere and went right into a medical tent with trainers, however he did not miss a snap. After his postgame information convention, Herbert walked with a major limp.
That is the second harm Herbert has handled this season. Throughout coaching camp, he spent two weeks in a strolling boot whereas coping with a plantar fascia harm to his proper foot. Herbert mentioned he must monitor that harm all through the season.
Herbert mentioned Friday, nonetheless, that he’s recovered from the plantar fascia harm.
Herbert has been probably the most sturdy quarterbacks within the NFL by his first 4 seasons. He began 62 consecutive video games, the second-longest energetic streak by a quarterback, earlier than a fracture to his proper index finger in Week 14 final yr ended his season. Stick went winless within the Chargers’ last 4 video games.
“Accidents are sadly part of the sport, and it’s important to do every thing you’ll be able to to restrict these,” Herbert mentioned. “…Complaining and worrying about it is not going to assist very a lot.”
