Bolts From The Blue
Justin Herbert left Sunday’s night’s loss to the Chiefs with a few more bumps and bruises than expected.
During Sunday night’s 19-17 loss to the Chiefs, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert spent at least one extended moment on the ground after being upended by linebacker Nick Bolton. On replay, Bolton’s elbow impacted squarely on Herbert’s thigh during the tackle and the collision certainly did enough damage to force Herbert to stay down and then miss the subsequent play just before halftime.
Luckily for the Chargers, Herbert returned to start the second half and the rest of the game. Afterwards, we learned that Bolton’s hit caused a contusion on his thigh and that it would be something he intends to work through leading into their game this Sunday against the Buccaneers.
But on Wednesday when the team had their first official practice of Week 15, Herbert was not out there with his team. When the injury report dropped, Herbert was tagged with “DNP” as he sat out the session. Later on during post-practice pressers, Herbert addressed his absence and the other aches and pains he’s currently dealing with, which currently includes a sprained ankle and swelling in his knee, all of which are affecting his left leg.
“I would say that this one is probably not as severe,” Herbert said about the ankle sprain. “It’s definitely painful enough to be able to miss a practice, but I feel 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.”
Herbert noted that the initial injury happened on a scramble during the opening drive of the game for the Chargers. After getting it taped up further on the sideline, he said the injury affected the rest of the offensive game plan as he did not feel comfortable running from the pocket.
After Wednesday’s practice, Jim Harbaugh said if Herbert had the power, he would have vetoed his decision to rest and rehab his injuries.
“He’s one of those types of guys where football is the treatment, is the medicine,” Harbaugh joked.
As of now, cautious optimism is all we have in regards to Herbert’s latest injury. The conversations around the subject do not seem all that dire right now and until otherwise stated, I believe the expectation is that Herbert will take all the rest he needs this week in preparation of facing the Bucs on Sunday.
