EL SEGUNDO — Once the postgame X-rays on his fractured left hand came back negative late Monday night and once the soreness and swelling subsided by Wednesday morning, then Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert resumed practicing with his teammates on a limited basis.
If all goes as expected and he suffers no significant setbacks this week, then Herbert will play in the Chargers’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, because, of course he will. Like so many others, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh continued to marvel Wednesday at Herbert’s toughness.
“It was the most competitive thing I’ve ever seen from a quarterback,” Harbaugh said.
To be sure, it wasn’t Herbert’s finest passing performance, but it might have been his grittiest. He completed 12 of 26 passes for 139 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Chargers’ 22-19 overtime victory Monday night over the Philadelphia Eagles, one week after undergoing surgery.
Herbert hurt his non-throwing hand during the Chargers’ 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 30.
Herbert, who was sacked seven times on Monday, directed three late scoring drives, including one in OT that resulted in Cameron Dicker’s game-winning 54-yard field goal. Herbert began overtime with a scramble for a 12-yard gain and a first down, continuing his hard-nosed play with a stiff-arm with his damaged left hand.
“I think compared to the days after surgery, I think it’s a lot better now,” Herbert said Wednesday. “I think it was just sore. I think having played with it, using it and kind of falling on it, too, I think that kind of helped, and I think that was the reason it was sore. I think for the most part, it’s gotten better. My grip strength has gotten better and just being able to use it, it’s gotten better, too.”
Herbert smiled faintly when asked if the stiff-arm might have been overdoing it.
“Yeah, maybe,” he said. “In the moment, I think that was the best thing I could have done for the team, and getting that first down and doing everything I could to get around that edge. There is a world where maybe it is effective and I’m staying on my feet and getting more yards, so I’m glad it went well.”
DIVISION OF LABOR
Omarion Hampton rushed for 56 yards on 13 carries and caught two passes for 11 yards and one touchdown on Monday in his first game since fracturing his left ankle against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 5. Fellow running back Kimani Vidal had 44 yards on 14 carries against the Eagles.
Harbaugh didn’t venture a guess about how they might share the workload for the final four regular-season games and the playoffs, if the Chargers make it that far. Harbaugh said he’s “not a prognosticator” when pressed by a reporter about the running backs’ roles in future games.
Hampton won the starter’s role over Najee Harris coming out of training camp, after Harris was sidelined because of an eye injury suffered during a July 4 fireworks accident. Harris then sustained a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during a Sept. 21 game against the Denver Broncos.
Vidal became the starter after Hampton was injured and Hassan Haskins then joined Hampton on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury. Vidal started the past eight games, including the victory over the Eagles. He’s rushed for a team-leading 587 yards in 10 games overall.
“It’s really impossible to predict the amount of carries for somebody before a game,” Harbaugh said of dividing the carries. “I’m not a prognosticator. I’m not a seer of the future. I mean, two great backs, Omarion and Kimani. I think that’s a good place for us to be. That bodes well for us.”
INJURY UPDATES
Right tackle Trey Pipkins III didn’t practice with his teammates on Wednesday after injuring his ankle in the second quarter on Monday. Wide receiver Derius Davis also hurt his ankle during the second quarter and didn’t practice. Safety Elijah Molden also sat out because of a hamstring injury.
“We’ll see how the week goes,” Harbaugh said when questioned about the status of each of the three injured players, all of them key players the Chargers will need to play against the Chiefs if the Chargers are to be at their best for a pivotal game against their AFC West rivals on Sunday.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
The Chargers’ home game against the Houston Texans in Week 17 will be played on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 1:30 p.m. at SoFi Stadium, the NFL announced Wednesday as part of its flexible scheduling. The Chargers’ game against the Denver Broncos in Week 18 also will be part of the flexible schedule. It will be either Jan. 3 or 4.