Herbert’s fractured hand could sideline the Chargers' star. Will Trey Lance step up against the Eagles' tough defense if needed? The team faces a critical test.
In Sunday’s 31-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers star QB Justin Herbert suffered an injury that initially held him out of the game before making a quick return. It ended up being a fractured left hand — his non-throwing hand — and he will now have surgery tomorrow, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
It’s uncertain if Herbert will miss any time, but more on that should come tomorrow as the surgery actually happens. The Chargers have the Philadelphia Eagles next on the schedule, meaning if he does even miss one game, it would be a tough one to miss. Los Angeles’ offensive line is already one of the worst in football, and Herbert has been able to overcome — but most QBs don’t have the same ability.
Backup QB Trey Lance is a decent option in his absence, but the Eagles’ defense is stout. The former No. 3 overall pick completed his only passing attempt on Sunday while Herbert was getting checked out before coming back into the game. Lance has logged 14 career games, including five starts with a 2-3 record.
The Chargers are currently 8-4 and firmly in the playoff picture, so even if their star QB does miss time, staying afloat and getting him healthy for that stage is most important. It’s also lucky that this injury is on his non-throwing hand, as that will make the recovery and return timeline much easier.
Herbert did say postgame that he’s treating next week as a game he’s planning to play, for what that’s worth.
As we find out more about Herbert and his situation, ChargersRoundtable will have you covered.