Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert finished Sunday’s game with what he described as a “flesh wound” that turned out to be a fractured middle finger on his left, non-throwing hand, the team confirmed on Monday.
Herbert won’t need surgery and should be ready to play when Los Angeles returns from a bye week to host the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 16, the team said.
The Chargers (2-2) beat the Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 to regain their footing after starting the season 0-2. But the offense made major modifications to accommodate Herbert, who had two rushing touchdowns and a career-low 167 passing yards. Other than a failed quarterback sneak, every snap after his injury was out of the shotgun or modified pistol formation instead of under center to make it easier on Herbert.
Chargers coach Brandon Staley said Monday that he expected to “change it up as much as we can” and not have Herbert take most of the snaps from under center.
Herbert was injured tracking down cornerback Tre’von Moehrig following an interception. He was checked out by trainers, who bandaged his finger and offered him a protective glove, then cleared him to return to the game. Herbert was wearing a splint on his finger after the game.
The injury to Herbert’s finger also caused displacement on the fingernail, he said.
“It is but a scratch. Just a flesh wound,” Herbert said Sunday night, a reference to lines from the 1975 comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
Herbert, who finished the game wearing a white glove on his left hand, has never missed a game in the NFL. He said the pain during the game was tolerable but trainers and medical staff would have input on when he’s back on the field.
“I don’t have all the information right now,” Herbert said. “If I was able to go back out there, and the doctors and trainers felt like it was safe, I’m sure it’s up to their hands. I’ve always felt really safe and comfortable with them working out. We’ll see what they have to say.”
–Field Level Media
