'Malpractice'? Chargers HC Brandon Staley criticized for playing injured QB Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is facing criticism for playing injured QB Justin Herbert the entire way in a 38-10 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.

“He wanted to be out there with his teammates," Staley said during the postgame news conference. "He felt good, and he wanted to finish the game."

Herbert, who has a fracture to the rib cartilage on his left side, confirmed that he didn’t want to quit on his teammates. 

While Herbert and Staley are OK with the decision, members of the media have questioned it. Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times called Herbert’s decision to stay in the game “selfish,” and CBS’ "Pick Six" podcast team referred to leaving him in as “malpractice.”

According to ESPN, more than half the questions Staley was asked after the game concerned Herbert and the potential long-lasting risks of his injury. 

Leaving Herbert in wasn’t the only decision he left up to a veteran player. Lindsey Thiry of ESPN tweeted that defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day took control of a player-led conversation after the game instead of players hearing from Staley.