Chargers QB Justin Herbert Avoids Fracture, 'Should Be Good to Go,' Harbaugh Says
X-rays on Herbert's left middle finger came back negative, clearing the way for him to start at Baltimore on Monday Night Football
The winless Chargers finally caught a break. X-rays on the middle finger of Justin Herbert's left hand came back negative for a fracture, and Jim Harbaugh said Monday that his quarterback should be ready for next week, according to ESPN.
Herbert left Sunday's 44-22 loss to the Texans in the fourth quarter, and Harbaugh said afterward the finger "could be a fracture." Herbert wanted to stay in, but Harbaugh made the call to keep him on the sideline. It's his non-throwing hand, and Herbert said Sunday he didn't expect it to be a problem.
Jim Harbaugh says the X-rays on Justin Herbert’s injured finger came back negative. No fracture. Harbaugh says Herbert should be “good to go” moving forward.View on X →
Noah Furtado (@bynoahfurtado): Jim Harbaugh says the X-rays on Justin Herbert’s injured finger came back negative. No fracture. Harbaugh says Herbert should be “good to go” moving forward.
The afternoon was rough even before the injury. Herbert was sacked a career-high eight times and threw his 11th interception, tying New England's Drake Maye for the league lead. He did hit Quentin Johnston on a 58-yard touchdown before he left, ending a drought of 12 straight quarters and 37 offensive drives without a touchdown dating to Oct. 11.
The Chargers are 0-8 and have lost 11 straight games going back to last season, their longest skid since they opened 0-11 in 2000. With the finger healthy, Herbert's bigger issue remains the protection in front of him: he went 13 of 23 for 193 yards on Sunday and has been sacked 31 times this season.
Los Angeles visits the Ravens (4-5) on Monday Night Football on Nov. 16 at 5:15 PM PT, then hosts the Jets the following week.