Justin Herbert Battles Through Injury, Pressure, and Pain in Gritty Chargers OT Win
Justin Herbert didn’t just play football on Sunday night-he went to war in the pocket. Two days after absorbing one of the most physically demanding games of his career, the Chargers quarterback gave an update on his status, and while the stat sheet might not have done him any favors, the tape tells a different story. Herbert played through a fractured left (non-throwing) hand and still found a way to lead Los Angeles to a 22-19 overtime win over the Eagles.
The injury, which he suffered in Week 13 against the Raiders, didn’t keep him off the field-but it certainly made its presence felt. After the game, Herbert underwent precautionary X-rays to assess the damage.
“Everything was clean for the most part,” Herbert said Wednesday. “It’s just about getting the swelling down, building back that strength, and staying on top of the treatment.”
That left hand-taped, bruised, and battered-wasn’t just along for the ride. Herbert used it to break his fall, stiff-arm defenders, and hold the ball under relentless pressure. He admitted it was sore, but noted that it’s improving.
“It’s a lot better now,” he said. “I think playing on it, using it, and falling on it definitely made it sore, but also helped in a weird way. My grip strength’s coming back, and I’m able to use it more.”
Still, Sunday night’s performance wasn’t vintage Herbert. He completed just 12 of 26 passes for 139 yards, with one touchdown, one interception, and a lost fumble. That 46.2% completion rate was the lowest of his career, and the yardage total ranked among the six least productive games he’s had.
But those numbers don’t tell the full story. Herbert was under siege all night.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he was pressured on a staggering 68.3% of his dropbacks-the sixth-highest pressure rate in any game over the last decade for quarterbacks with at least 20 dropbacks. He was sacked seven times.
Seven.
“I thought it was a really tough day for the offense, especially for me,” Herbert said. “Two turnovers, missed throws, just uncharacteristic play. There’s a bunch of throws I’d love to have back.”
But even with the offense sputtering and the Eagles defense living in the backfield, Herbert never flinched. He kept battling, leaning on his legs when the pocket collapsed.
He led the Chargers in rushing with 66 yards on 10 carries, picking up three first downs on scrambles-including a critical 12-yard run to open the overtime drive, capped off with a stiff-arm on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. Yes, he used the injured hand.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t hold back when talking about his quarterback’s performance.
“That’s the most competitive thing I’ve ever seen from a quarterback,” Harbaugh said, praising Herbert’s toughness and leadership during three crucial scoring drives late in the game, including the one in overtime that set up Cameron Dicker’s 54-yard game-winning field goal.
Herbert returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, joining Ladd McConkey (foot) and Will Dissly (shoulder). While he’s not yet 100%, the fact that he’s back on the field is a positive sign for a Chargers team that’s still firmly in the playoff hunt.
The injury report was a mixed bag: six Chargers didn’t practice, including Derius Davis (ankle), Trey Pipkins III (ankle), Elijah Molden (hamstring), and Troy Dye (hip), while veterans Keenan Allen and Khalil Mack were given rest days.
At 9-4, the Chargers are heading into a pivotal Week 15 clash with the 6-7 Chiefs. A win at Arrowhead Stadium would complete a season sweep and push their playoff chances from 78% to a commanding 95%. But more than just postseason math, Sunday’s game is about momentum-and Herbert’s performance, gutsy as it was, could be the emotional spark this team rides into the stretch run.
He may not have lit up the stat sheet, but make no mistake: Herbert showed exactly why he’s the heartbeat of this Chargers team.