Justin Herbert seeing hand specialists to determine extent of finger injury; likely out for ‘TNF,’ per report

Getty Images

The 2023 NFL season has been a slog for the Los Angeles Chargers (5-8), and it just went from bad to worse on Sunday.  Quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a fractured ring finger on his throwing hand that caused him to leave the game against the Denver Broncos in a neck-and-neck battle to remain in the AFC wild card race. Once the Chargers entered the home halftime locker room, they ruled Herbert out for the remainder of the game. Los Angeles went on to lose 24-7 and fall far down the ladder for AFC wild-card contention. 

On Monday, ESPN reported Herbert is unlikely to play on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders because of the injury and will meet with Dr. Steven Shin to determine extent of the injury and how long he might be out. Head coach Brandon Staley said Herbert will see two hand specialists, via NFL Media, and that “any plan moving forward will be determined after the Chargers gather all the information from specialists.” Staley wouldn’t comment on Herbert’s Week 15 status.

Given the Chargers tumbling behind six teams that are 7-6 in the AFC wild card standings, Herbert may not play again this season. He departed late in the second quarter with the Broncos ahead 7-0. He threw for 96 yards and an interception on 9 of 17 passing. Longtime backup Easton Stick, a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Chargers, replaced Herbert to enter his second career NFL game. 

“All of our focus has got to be on his future,” Staley said Monday, via The Athletic. “Certainly there’s nothing more important than that, than his right hand and his long-term future. He’s 25 years old. He’s got a really, really bright future in front of him. Every decision is going to be with that in…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/justin-herbert-seeing-hand-specialists-to-determine-extent-of-finger-injury-likely-out-for-tnf-per-report/

Author : Garrett Podell

Publish date : 2023-12-11 18:15:24

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.