Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fractured the middle finger on his left, non-throwing hand during the third quarter of the team’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, the team announced. He is expected to play when the Chargers return to action Oct. 16, after their bye this week.
Tests revealed the extent of the injury on Monday.
“Tough customer,” Coach Brandon Staley said.
Herbert was injured when he jammed his finger against an opponent’s face mask after a third-and-10 pass from midfield intended for Josh Palmer was intercepted by the Raiders’ Tre’von Moehrig. Herbert had left the pocket to assist in a possible tackle of Moehrig when he got tangled up with two Raiders.
After an extended stay in the medical tent on the Chargers’ sideline, Herbert returned to the game without missing any offensive plays. He spent all but one of the Chargers’ final plays in the fourth quarter lined up in a shotgun formation, the better to ease the pain of taking a direct snap from center.
The only play when he lined up directly behind Will Clapp was for a quarterback sneak on a fourth-and-1 play at his own 34-yard line, a play that failed to produce a first down. The Chargers then stopped the Raiders on a potential go-ahead touchdown drive and held on for a 24-17 victory.
“I’m sure we’ll take that into consideration, yeah,” Staley said of future alignments with Herbert in order to protect his fractured finger, including lining him up primarily in a shotgun formation when the Chargers take on the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 16. “We’re always going to do what’s best for Justin Herbert.”
Staley said he had no updates on several other injured Chargers who were unable to play Sunday, including edge rusher Joey Bosa (hamstring and toe), running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) and safeties Alohi Gilman (heel) and Derwin James Jr. (hamstring).
Staley also said he had no update on tight end Donald Parham Jr., who hurt his wrist during the second quarter of Sunday’s game and could not continue. Nor did he have an update on wide receiver Jalen Guyton (knee), who is eligible to be activated from injured reserve for the Week 6 game against Dallas.