Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert missed Wednesday’s practice due to a sprained left ankle and a thigh contusion that he suffered in the team’s game against AFC West rival, Kansas City Chiefs. The ankle injury came early in the first quarter and the contusion happened just before the half.
Despite the injury, Herbert remained in the game, completing the series following a brief medical timeout. The training staff provided immediate treatment, retaping his ankle to alleviate the discomfort.
Justin Herbert Returns To Chargers Practice
After that practice, Herbert told the media that he felt pain in his ankle and thigh while on the sidelines. He explained he felt the pain when “rotating and kind of stepping through the throw.” This resulted in a limited offensive attack for the remainder of the game.
But on Thursday, Herbert was back to practice. At the time of the writing of this article, it is unclear if Herbert is a full participant, but his return is good news for the team nonetheless as they prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.
Herbert also relayed to the media that the pain he is feeling from this ankle injury is not as intense as he felt earlier in the season when he was dealing with an injury to his right ankle. Some speculated that Herbert’s slow start to the year could be, at least, in part due to that initial ankle injury.
While Herbert’s arm is the biggest asset connected to the health of his legs, the Chargers have also come to rely heavily on his rushing ability. His 224 yards are the third most among all Chargers runners and he has also picked up 20 percent of the team’s rushing first downs, which has kept this team afloat while they have struggled to run the ball recently.
While this is good news for the Chargers, their offense will need to find answers for other injuries on their side of the ball. A part of their rushing struggles is due to top running back JK Dobbins missing time on the injured reserve. Missing their top two receivers, Ladd McConkey and Will Dissly, was very apparent against the Chiefs. McConkey has been limited in practice, while Dissly has not participated.