Justin Herbert spent all week battling an ankle injury but managed to suit up for the Los Angeles Chargers‘ Sunday matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Unfortunately, the Bolts’ QB1 appeared to aggravate his existing injury midway through the third quarter of today’s game. Here’s the latest on Herbert.
What Happened to Justin Herbert?
Herbert admitted on Friday that he suffered a high right ankle sprain in the Chargers’ Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
He was a limited practice participant on Thursday but didn’t practice on Wednesday or Friday. Listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, Herbert suited up and completed 12 of 18 attempts for 125 yards and one touchdown before going down.
Herbert appeared to aggravate his ankle injury after taking a first-down sack with roughly eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. He stayed on the field for the Chargers’ next play — a 2nd-and-19 handoff to J.K. Dobbins — but headed for the sidelines after that snap.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert entered today’s game with an ankle injury.
He just limped off the field …
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 22, 2024
Herbert spent 10 minutes in the blue medical tent along Los Angeles’ sideline. He’s since emerged and is sitting on the Chargers’ bench with his helmet.
Los Angeles announced that Herbert was questionable to return with an ankle injury.
However, ESPN’s Kris Rhim reported Herbert was “limping badly” along the Bolts’ sideline. He never re-entered Sunday’s game.
Herbert was in a walking boot after the Chargers’ Week 3 loss, according to Omar Ruiz of NFL Network. L.A.’s quarterback said that while his ankle got sore throughout the game, he “really started to feel it” after taking the fourth-quarter hit that knocked him out of the contest.
Herbert is “hopeful” he’ll be able to face the Kansas Chiefs in Week 4, per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry.
On Monday, Herbert’s X-Rays came back negative, NFLN reported.
Although head coach Jim Harbaugh suggested last week that Easton Stick would start if Herbert couldn’t play, fellow backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke took over for Herbert on Sunday.
The Chargers acquired Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons at the end of August in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
High ankle sprains are typically considered 4-6 week injuries, although quarterbacks can beat that timeline. On Friday, Herbert admitted his status for Week 3 is still being evaluated.
Herbert missed multiple weeks of training camp with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot but was ready for Week 1. Entering Week 2, he had completed 67.4% of his passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while ranking 14th in QBR.
Fantasy Implications of Herbert’s Injury
Herbert is clearly a superior quarterback to Heinicke, but the Chargers’ offense might not change all that much with the lesser option under center.
Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have committed to the run as expected. The Bolts rank fourth in rushing rate over expectation, suggesting they’re willing to run the ball in situations where the box count, down and distance, and other factors typically indicate a pass.
Dobbins looks reborn running behind Los Angeles’ elite offensive line. Entering Week 2, he led the NFL with 266 rushing yards, ranked fifth in success rate (63%), and was the only running back averaging 5+ yards before contact and 4+ yards after contact, per TruMedia.
Gus Edwards hasn’t been as effective as Dobbins but had three more attempts (29) through two games. Through the third quarter of Week 3, Dobbins had received 13 attempts to Edwards’ one, suggesting L.A.’s coaching staff wants to lean on the more efficient back.
With Heinicke under center, the Chargers will undoubtedly lean into both backs even more than they already have.
Joshua Palmer’s injury has clouded L.A.’s WR situation. Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston led the team with 11 targets entering Week 2, with the latter scoring his third touchdown of the season in Week 3.
Even if Herbert returns today or next week, it’s hard to predict what kind of fantasy value the Chargers’ receivers might have if their quarterback is limited. As such, it might be best to avoid all Los Angeles fantasy football options not named J.K. Dobbins.