Justin Herbert Leaves Chargers Game With Injury

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Los Angeles Chargers. Not only did they fall behind big to the Houston Texans on Sunday, but now they have lost their franchise player.

During the fourth quarter of the game, quarterback Justin Herbert exited the game. He was seen with a splint glove on his left hand, as he apparently injured a finger on his left hand.

He headed into the blue medical tent as a result, and with his team down 41-15, he exited the game. Backup quarterback DJ Uiagalelei came in to replace Herbert.

With the Chargers about to drop to a 0-8 record, now they have to be concerned about the health of their starting quarterback.

A rough day for Herbert

Even before his injury, Herbert was not having a good day. The Chargers never led in this game, and while they came to within 10-9, things never got any better than that.

They gave up 14 unanswered points to end the first half before Herbert threw an interception just four offensive snaps into the third quarter. It was his 11th interception of the season, and it virtually slammed the doors shut on any chance of a Los Angeles comeback.

Even worse, Herbert got sacked a whopping eight times in this game. He came into Sunday having been sacked 23 times on the season, which was tied for the second most in the NFL behind only Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns.

Herbert came into Week 9 with a 61.8% pass completion rate and just five touchdown passes. He added a sixth touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter on a 58-yard reception by wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

The Chargers already suffered an injury setback when the game started, as wide receiver Ladd McConkey didn’t take the field due to back spasms. They were already without wide receiver Brenen Thompson (quad/hamstring), guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), tight end David Njoku (fibula) and cornerback Deane Leonard (concussion), among others.

Herbert comments on his injury

Per Alex Insdorf, Herbert said he doesn’t expect his finger injury to be an issue. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said that he was the one who decided to sit Herbert for the rest of the game, as the signal-caller wanted to stay in and keep playing.

“Could be a fracture, we’ll find out,” Harbaugh said.

Los Angeles will next play against the Baltimore Ravens on the road on Monday, Nov. 16.