Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert broke the middle finger on his left hand. However, he is unlikely to miss the NFL as a right-handed player.
The Chargers confirmed the diagnosis on Monday. However, a spokesman for the team explained that Herbert would still play next weekend if the team did not already have his bye week in Week 5.
Herbert sustained the injury in the third quarter of the 24:17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders when, according to his own statement, his hand got stuck in an opponent’s helmet during an interception. He returned after a short treatment with a splint on his left hand.
According to head coach Brandon Staley, who called Herbert a “tough dog,” the QB will probably only rarely take snaps “under center” in the near future and will increasingly be in the shotgun.
NFL: Bye Week comes at the right time for Chargers
Said bye week basically comes at the right time for the Chargers. In addition to Herbert, it gives the recently injured starters running back Austin Ekeler, edge rusher Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James Jr. enough time to recover. All four will return in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Staley.
“I think recovery is at the top of our list,” Staley said. “And we need to make sure we’re fresh and hungry when we face Dallas.”
After two defeats at the start of the season against the Dolphins and in Tennessee, the Chargers have recently gotten back on track and defeated both the Minnesota Vikings and the Raiders. Meanwhile, all four games ended with just one score difference. Accordingly, the point difference is just plus-6. They are currently one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs in second place in the AFC West, which is the place they already reached in 2022.