Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is scheduled for surgery on Monday to repair a broken bone in his left hand, but the star player has already set his sights on a remarkably swift return to the field.
Playing Through the Pain
The injury occurred during the Chargers' opening drive in their 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Herbert was tackled by Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn, but remarkably threw a touchdown pass on the very next play before trainers intervened.
Displaying notable resilience, Herbert played the final three quarters of the game with a hard cast on his non-throwing hand, operating exclusively from the shotgun formation. After a brief appearance from backup Trey Lance, Herbert returned to the sideline, took practice snaps with a protective glove over his cast, and re-entered the contest.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was full of praise for his quarterback's toughness, stating, "What I know is that he’s as tough as they come. He taped it up, (put on a) glove and played a great game."
Performance and Playoff Implications
Despite the obvious handicap, Herbert helped orchestrate two lengthy scoring drives in the second half. The Chargers' offence converted an impressive 12 of 17 third downs, ultimately outgaining Las Vegas 341-156 in total yards.
This season, Herbert has thrown for 2,842 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. More crucially, his team currently holds a playoff position with just five games remaining in the regular season. Herbert is determined not to miss the chance to chase his first postseason win, a driving factor behind his optimistic outlook.
"I’m treating it as if I’m playing Monday," Herbert affirmed, referencing the Chargers' upcoming clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. "I think they were very hopeful for that, so I think that’s just something we’ll see tomorrow and get a feel for."
A History of Hand Injuries and a Tough Road Ahead
This is not Herbert's first experience with a hand injury. In 2023, he played with a splint on a broken finger on his left hand, though he later missed four games after breaking a finger on his right, marking his only career injury absence to date.
"In terms of experience, I’ve gone through so many things," Herbert reflected. "I think it will be helpful, but at the end of the day, just got to go out there and make sure everything is good... I trust those guys completely," he added, referring to the team's medical staff.
The Chargers face a formidable final stretch, a "gauntlet" of five opponents all currently boasting winning records. It begins next Monday night at home against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, underscoring the importance of Herbert's potential rapid recovery for the team's playoff ambitions.
