The Los Angeles Chargers have had an underwhelming 2023 NFL season after entering the year with high hopes, given their talent across the roster — particularly on offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert.
Los Angeles will now have to finish the season without the star QB after he suffered an injury in Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos.
Justin Herbert Out With Finger Injury
Herbert initially suffered an apparent hand injury that was later revealed to be a finger ailment late in the second quarter of the Chargers’ eventual 24-7 loss to the Broncos. He attempted to get a pass off under pressure and banged his hand into Denver defensive end Zach Allen’s arm, immediately showing discomfort and shaking out his hand.
Herbert was later seen jogging into the locker room and was initially listed as questionable to return by Los Angeles before the team ruled him out for the remainder of the game just before halftime.
#Chargers QB Justin Herbert injured his finger on this play and is questionable to return.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 10, 2023
Following the game, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters that Herbert had a fractured right index finger.
News then came out that Herbert underwent surgery on Tuesday and is set to miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
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Herbert finished his final game of the 2023 season going 9-of-17 for 96 yards and one interception while taking four sacks for a total loss of 37 yards.
The game was perhaps a fitting encapsulation of a tough year for Herbert. He finished 297-of-456 for 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, all career lows. With the injury, the 13 appearances (all starts) this season will be the fewest games played of Herbert’s career.
The Chargers QB had previously thrown for 4,000+ yards in each of his first three seasons, including 4,739 yards and 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions last year to help Los Angeles go 10-7.
He was relieved Sunday by fifth-year quarterback Easton Stick, who finished the day going 13-of-24 for 179 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions while taking two sacks for a loss of 31 yards. Stick has now made just two career NFL appearances, his first coming in a brief stint for the Chargers back in 2020 where he completed one pass for four yards.
Pelissero also reported that Stick will get the start for Los Angeles (5-8) on Thursday night when the team takes on the also struggling Las Vegas Raiders (5-8).
Both teams sit back of the main pack in the AFC playoff race but could still boon their postseason hopes somewhat with a win.
A logjam of six teams is tied at 7-6 in sixth through 11th place within the conference, which leaves many possibilities for how everything could shake out.
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