Justin Herbert seeing specialists to determine severity of finger injury
Justin Herbert is not expected to play on Thursday night when the Los Angeles Chargers face the Las Vegas Raiders after exiting Sunday’s game with an injury to the right index finger on his throwing hand, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters on Monday that Herbert will consult with two hand specialists to determine the extent of the injury. Herbert is reportedly dealing with a fracture in his right index finger. After getting feedback from those specialists, the Chargers will make a decision on Herbert’s status going forward.
“All of our focus has got to be on his future,” Staley said. “Certainly, there’s nothing more important than that, than his right hand. And his long-term future. He’s 25 years old and he’s got a really, really bright future in front of him. So, like I said, every decision we make is going to be with that in mind.”
The former Oregon star has started 62 consecutive games for the Chargers, the second-longest active streak by a quarterback in the NFL.
Through 13 games this season, Herbert has thrown for 3,134 yards and 20 touchdowns against seven picks. He’s completing 65% of his passes while averaging 6.9 yards per attempt.
But the Chargers have struggled around Herbert and slipped to 5-8 on the season.
Herbert dealt with a finger fracture on his non-throwing hand earlier this season. With an injury to his throwing hand this time, though, calls on social media to shut the star quarterback down for the season have intensified.
LA has lost four of its last five games and currently finds itself on the outside looking in on the AFC Wild Card race.