Banged up Justin Herbert says he 'couldn't go anymore' in loss to Steelers

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was listed as questionable heading into a road matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday with a high ankle sprain. 

Herbert will likely have the same injury designation in the days to come after leaving the game in the second half of the Chargers' 20-10 loss to the Steelers. 

Taylor Heinicke relieved Herbert but the team failed to score with him at the helm. 

"My plan was first sign of any kind of limp he was coming out of the game, so I took him out," Harbaugh said about Herbert's injury.

Harbaugh noted it was never going to be Herbert's decision to "play or stay in" on Sunday and the decision to start Herbert against Pittsburgh was partially based on how he looked on Saturday. 

"Felt like he could protect himself," Harbaugh said. "He was in a position to be able to effectively play the position."

The Steelers pass-rush won battles against the Chargers offensive line and brought consistent pressure. Pittsburgh totaled five sacks and seven quarterback hits in a game where the quarterback needed to be untouched.

When Herbert spoke of the injury he acknowledged that he didn't feel he could play any further on Sunday. 

"I pushed myself and I couldn't go anymore," Herbert said. "I had a tough time walking on it, moving on it, pushing off of it."

Herbert attended the post-game news conference in a walking boot. Herbert said he believes his ankle got rolled up on that the ankle "is a little sore."