Chargers QB Justin Herbert discusses injury recovery timeline heading into Week 14

Once again, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is prepared to play through pain. 

Right-handed Herbert fractured his left hand in a 31-14 Week 13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. During his Wednesday news conference, the QB said he underwent surgery on Monday, having a plate and a few screws placed in his left hand. That gives him one week to recover for the Chargers' game against the Philadelphia Eagles on "Monday Night Football."

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh still sounds uncertain whether Herbert will play. On Wednesday, he told the media he remains "optimistic" about the QB but added he's not practicing. 

Figure on Herbert — who ranks sixth in the league in touchdown passes (21) — to keep pushing to start against the Eagles. It wouldn't be the first time he has played through injury. 

Justin Herbert has proved to be one of the toughest QBs in the NFL

Since being selected No. 6 overall by the Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft, Herbert has missed just four games due to injury. L.A. shut him down during the 2023 season when he suffered a broken finger on his right hand. The team was already out of the playoff race, finishing with a 5-12 record.

Before that, Herbert played with a broken finger on his left hand. He joked that it was just a "flesh wound," a reference to the 1975 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." 

During the 2022 season, he had fractured rib cartilage and a torn labrum but still played 17 regular-season games. What's another injury to Herbert? He's clearly used to playing hurt. 

Harbaugh, however, is still having backup QB Trey Lance work with the first-team offense if Herbert can't play Monday night. Lance — whom the San Francisco 49ers took with pick No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft — has a 2-3 record as a starter. 

Despite that, Herbert may find a way to force himself into the starting lineup. The QB wants to help the 8-4 Chargers get one step closer to clinching a playoff berth, even if he's far from 100%.