Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was limited in practice on Tuesday with a sprained left ankle. As the team prepares for a Thursday Night Football game against the division-rival Denver Broncos, Herbert was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and has no injury designation for Thursday night’s game.
Justin Herbert Pushes Himself With Playoffs on the Line
Update: Herbert is officially active for tonight’s game against the Denver Broncos.
Herbert was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and will start Thursday night’s game against the Denver Broncos, barring a late setback. The Chargers need to win at least two of their three final games to make a claim for the final Wild Card spot and will also need some help along the way.
The game on Thursday will feature two Oregon quarterbacks as Herbert takes on Bo Nix, the Broncos’ rookie signal-caller.
Herbert sustained the injury last week in a 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but missed only one snap. He finished the game by playing in 51 of the team’s 52 offensive snaps. He then rested and sat out of practice Monday and was limited on Tuesday. He returned as a full participant on Wednesday and pronounced himself fit.
Herbert has had his share of lower extremity injuries this season. He suffered a right ankle injury during Week 2 but did not miss any time. He said the injury he sustained in Week 2 was more painful than what he endured this past week.
“I would say this one is probably not as severe,” Herbert said last week, comparing the two injuries. “It’s definitely painful enough to be able to miss a practice, but I felt like I’ve been able to move around a little bit better this week than I did after Carolina where I was put into a boot and had difficulty walking. I think we’re farther along this week.”
He said he never thought he would miss this game. He knew from the get-go he would get himself physically and mentally ready to play. He is fully prepared to be the starter.
“I would expect so,” Herbert said. “I don’t think there was too many moments in the game last week where I experienced any setbacks. And so I think as long as we’re going in the right direction, that is definitely the plan.”
Herbert playing is good news. However, the Chargers have a laundry list of players who will not be suiting up. The Chargers have ruled out tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) and cornerback Cam Hart (concussion) against the Broncos. Further, defensive back Elijah Molden (knee) is doubtful.
Defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis), linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin), offensive guard Zion Johnson (ankle), and tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) are questionable.
Hurst is still on the injured reserve list. The Chargers would have to make a roster move Thursday for him to play.
Herbert’s Fantasy Football Outlook in Week 16
– Analysis provided by PFN’s Kyle Soppe
Herbert looked like he was on his way to a strong fantasy performance last week after one drive (43 yards and a touchdown toss to Ladd McConkey), but this offense hit a wall, something that we’ve seen on more than a few occasions.
Herbert failed to reach 200 passing yards for the seventh time this season, and with just 13 rushing yards on his December résumé up to this point, his role in the Chargers’ offense isn’t overly fantasy-friendly.
I don’t love Herbert this week against the second-best red-zone unit in the NFL. He currently sits as my QB17, primarily because I don’t think he has a realistic path to top-10 production in this matchup.
In Week 6, at altitude, Herbert threw for 237 yards and one score. That sounds about right, and I don’t think that’ll cut it this week.