EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert missed Wednesday’s practice with thigh and ankle injuries. Herbert said the ankle injury is a sprained ankle and the thigh injury is a contusion. Both injuries are to his left leg.
He suffered both of them in Sunday night’s loss at the Kansas city Chiefs — the ankle in the first quarter and the thigh late in the second quarter.
Herbert said the sprained ankle is the “main reason” he missed Wednesday’s practice. He said he did not know if it is a high or low ankle sprain. Herbert played through a right high ankle sprain earlier this season. When asked about practicing Thursday, Herbert said, “It really is day by day.” The Chargers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Herbert said neither he nor the training staff thought he could provide his teammates with “full-speed reps” in Wednesday’s practice.
Herbert said he suffered the ankle injury on a third down on the opening offensive series of the game. on the play, Herbert escaped pressure up the middle and took off scrambling. he deked to his left before cutting right into the open field. Herbert broke a tackle, then was dragged down by Chiefs defensive lineman Mike Danna.
Danna wrapped Herbert up by that left ankle,and it twisted awkwardly as Danna made the tackle.
Herbert did not miss a play after the ankle injury. He said the training staff re-taped his ankle on the outside of his cleat with spatting tape. He returned for the next series.
Herbert said he was experiencing some pain while warming up throwing on the sideline. He said he felt the pain when “rotating and kind of stepping through the throw.”
Herbert added that the Chargers limited the playbook over the remainder of the game.
On a third down late in the first half, Herbert escaped pressure to his right. He then threw downfield to receiver Quentin Johnston along the right sideline. After the throw, Herbert took a shot from linebacker Nick Bolton, who made contact with Herbert’s left leg. That is when he sustained the thigh contusion.
Taylor Heinicke replaced Herbert for the one play. Heinicke scrambled for 12 yards. Heinicke was taking snaps from the starting offensive line during the period of Wednesday’s practice open to media.
These are just the latest ailments in what has been an injury-riddled season for Herbert. He missed three weeks of training camp with a plantar fascia injury. He sustained the right high ankle sprain in a Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers.He finished that game but was in a walking boot in the locker room afterward.
Herbert started the next week at the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he was knocked out of the game in the third quarter after taking a hit. Heinicke replaced him. Herbert started the next week at the Chiefs, but he was far from 100 percent. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said last week that Herbert “could barely move” in that game.
Herbert said this ankle injury is “probably not as severe” as the sprain earlier this season.
“It’s definitely painful enough to be able to miss a practice,” Herbert said. “But I felt like I’ve been able to move around a little bit better this week than I did after Carolina where I was put into a boot and had difficulty walking. But I think we’re farther along this week.”
Over the past few weeks, Herbert has been wearing a sleeve on his left leg. He said Wednesday that he has been dealing with swelling in his left knee. He called the knee swelling a “seperate injury” from the ankle sprain and the thigh contusion.
Herbert has dealt with notable injuries in his football career. He broke his femur in high school. He battled through fractured rib cartilage for nearly the entire 2022 season, an injury he also suffered at Arrowhead Stadium. Herbert also tore his left labrum late in that season, which required surgery in the offseason.
“It could always be the ribs. It could always be a femur,” Herbert said,while knocking on the wooden lectern in the news conference room. “This is nothing compared to that.”
The hallway outside the visiting locker room at Arrowhead is rather narrow. after suffering the fractured rib cartilage in 2022, Herbert got imaging taken in the X-ray room. When he emerged, he walked gingerly down that hallway to the bus. It was a similar scene Sunday night, with two injuries to his left leg. Herbert walked down that hallway with a noticeable limp.
A lot of limping in Kansas City.
Herbert brought some levity several times in his Wednesday news conference.When he was asked to confirm that this ankle injury is on a different leg than the early-season high ankle sprain, Herbert said, “Yup, got both of them covered.”
“To fight through this, it’s part of the game,” Herbert said. “I think that’s one of the things that has made this locker room so special, is all those guys are so tough.”
Required reading
(Photo: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
How can athletes effectively communicate their pain and injury status to medical staff during a game?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Sports Medicine Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today.We have with us Dr. Sarah Thompson, a renowned sports medicine expert, to discuss the recent injuries faced by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Dr. Thompson,thank you for being here.
dr.Sarah Thompson: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such important topics surrounding athletic injuries.
Editor: Justin Herbert has recently reported a sprained ankle and a thigh contusion. Can you elaborate on how each of these injuries may affect a playerS performance, especially a quarterback?
Dr. Thompson: Absolutely. A sprained ankle, especially for a quarterback who relies on agility and footwork, can severely limit their ability to plant their foot while throwing or evade pressure in the pocket. The degree of the sprain—whether it’s high or low—will dictate how long it may take for him to recover. A thigh contusion can also play a crucial role; it can result in significant pain and weakness in the lower leg, making movement difficult and affecting stamina.
Editor: Herbert mentioned that he does not know if it is a high or low ankle sprain. How does that uncertainty impact his rehabilitation process and return to play?
Dr. Thompson: That uncertainty is significant. A high ankle sprain generally involves the ligaments that connect the two bones of the lower leg, and it typically requires a longer recovery period compared to a low ankle sprain. Knowing the exact type would help the medical staff guide the rehabilitation protocol effectively. It’s essential for Herbert to get a proper diagnosis to ensure he doesn’t rush back and risk further injury.
Editor: He played through the pain during the last game but then missed practice. What are the risks associated with playing through injury, especially in the case of a quarterback like Herbert?
Dr. Thompson: Playing through injuries can certainly be risky. While athletes frequently enough feel pressure to perform despite discomfort, it can lead to compensating behaviors that might exacerbate the injury or cause new ones. For a quarterback, their legs are crucial for stability in their throwing motion. If Herbert is compensating for ankle pain, it can impact his accuracy and mechanics, not to mention put additional stress on other parts of his body.
Editor: Considering he returned to play after being re-taped on the sideline, how effective is this kind of immediate treatment in the context of professional sports?
Dr. Thompson: Taping is a common practice that can provide support and stability to the injured area. However, it’s more of a temporary fix. While it can help an athlete finish a game, it does not address the underlying injury. long-term recovery needs to include proper rest and rehabilitation rather than just relying on taping for support.
Editor: Justin mentioned it’s “day by day” as he considers practicing on Thursday. What does this phrase indicate about his recovery process?
Dr. Thompson: That phrase suggests a cautious approach to recovery.It shows that the coaching and medical staff are likely evaluating his symptoms daily. Managing injuries is a balancing act—ensuring that he is not pushing himself too hard while giving him the chance to participate as soon as he’s physically able.
Editor: given the Chargers’ upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, how critical is it for Herbert to be at full strength for that matchup?
Dr.Thompson: It’s crucial. Every game counts in the NFL, and the quarterback is often the linchpin of the team’s success. If he can’t perform at full capacity, it could impact the entire team’s performance. It’s essential for him to communicate openly with the medical staff to make the right decision not just for this game, but for the remainder of the season.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Thompson. Your insights into Justin Herbert’s situation provide a deeper understanding of the challenges athletes face when dealing with injuries.
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me! I hope Justin has a speedy recovery.