Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is preparing to play through a high-ankle sprain when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Los Angeles on Sunday, according to multiple reports on Saturday.
Herbert was limited at practice for the third straight day on Friday, when the injury report listed him as questionable for the Chargers (2-1) in an AFC West Division matchup with the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (3-0).
He also was questionable before last Sunday’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he aggravated the right ankle sprain in the third quarter of the Chargers’ 20-10 loss and didn’t return.
Herbert, 26, sprained the ankle in a 26-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
“I feel better than I did last Wednesday,” Herbert said on Wednesday. “And so as long as we keep moving forward and we keep getting better, we’re not taking those setbacks. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
Los Angeles could use this week to give Herbert recovery time with a bye in Week 5, but Herbert said on Wednesday that he didn’t think the team was planning to sit him.
“That was part of the conversation,” Herbert said. “I don’t think that’s the way we’re heading.”
The fifth-year quarterback has completed 67.2 percent of his passes and thrown for 399 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in three starts this season for the Chargers.
Taylor Heinicke (29 career starts) completed both of his pass attempts for 24 yards in relief of Herbert last Sunday. Easton Stick (four starts) is also an option if Herbert can’t go.
The Chargers will play without starting left tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral injury), and rookie right tackle Joe Alt (sprained MCL) was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on Saturday.
Defensively, Los Angeles will be without star edge rusher Joey Bosa (hip) and linebacker Junior Colson (hamstring), and safety Derwin James Jr. is serving a one-game suspension after being penalized for unnecessary roughness at Pittsburgh.
Herbert, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, is taking a positive approach to his situation.
“I don’t think worrying does too much. It doesn’t help too much,” he said. “Take it day by day to see how it feels, and if it is an issue, then it’s not safe to go out there and not smart to go play, but it has gotten better.”
–Field Level Media