Justin Herbert Suffers Hand Fracture in Chargers’ Win Over Raiders, Surgery Set for Monday
The Chargers walked away with a crucial 31-14 win over the Raiders on Sunday, but the victory came with a potentially significant setback - quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a bone fracture in his left hand and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday.
Herbert went down early in the first quarter after taking a hit that left him favoring his non-throwing hand. Trey Lance stepped in briefly, but Herbert was cleared to return and finished the game, helping guide the Chargers to their eighth win of the season. That puts them at 8-4, holding a one-game edge over the 7-5 Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card race.
Despite the win, the attention quickly shifted postgame to Herbert’s health. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed the injury and the upcoming procedure, but stopped short of saying whether Herbert will miss time. The Chargers have a bit of a cushion with their next game coming on Monday Night Football in Week 14 - a high-stakes matchup against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Herbert’s final stat line before the injury news broke: 15 completions on 20 attempts for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Efficient, poised, and - as always - tough as nails.
The left hand isn’t his throwing hand, which is a silver lining, but any fracture for a quarterback is cause for concern. Ball handling, shotgun snaps, play-action fakes - it all runs through both hands. And while Herbert’s arm talent is elite, his ability to operate the offense at full speed depends on being physically sound.
The Chargers’ offense has been slowly finding its rhythm, and Herbert is the engine. His chemistry with the receiving corps has grown more consistent in recent weeks, and the offensive line has done a better job keeping him upright. But if he’s sidelined, even briefly, it throws a wrench into a playoff push that’s just starting to heat up.
Trey Lance, who saw limited action during Herbert’s brief absence, would presumably get the nod if Herbert can’t go. Lance has the tools, but he’s still in the early stages of his development, and stepping into a prime-time game against the Eagles is no small ask.
For now, the Bolts will wait and see how Herbert’s surgery goes and what the recovery timeline looks like. The hope, of course, is that he won’t miss time - especially with the season hitting its most critical stretch.
One thing’s for sure: Herbert’s grit is never in question. Playing through a fractured hand to finish a key divisional win?
That’s the kind of leadership that sets the tone in December. Now the Chargers just have to hope their franchise QB can keep leading them - from the huddle, not the sideline.