Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert did not practice with a thigh/ankle designation on Wednesday. After saying he suffered a leg contusion on Sunday, HC Jim Harbaugh was the first to mention the ankle injury during Wednesday’s media availability.
Herbert would clarify that this ankle injury is separate from the one he suffered earlier in the season. Herbert suffered a high-ankle sprain vs. Carolina which would limit Herbert’s mobility for several weeks after the fact.
The Chargers’ quarterback said that this injury is now on his left side. From a mobility and pain standpoint, Herbert described this injury as “less severe” than his sprain earlier in the season.
Asked about his thigh contusion, Herbert said that the issue is moreso the ankle injury in terms of not being able to practice. The injury occurred on this play vs. Kansas City:
This appears to be the primary play from Sunday in which Justin Herbert hurt his ankle:pic.twitter.com/OawMU5Iv0y
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) December 11, 2024
Herbert was asked about being able to practice on Thursday and said that it was really “day to day” based on progression and conversations with the medical staff unfold throughout the week.
Several Chargers joined Justin Herbert on the injury report
WR Jalen Reagor (finger), EDGE Joey Bosa (hip), TE Will Dissly (shoulder), and Khalil Mack (NIR-rest) also did not practice on Wednesday. WR Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder), LB Denzel Perryman (groin), S Tony Jefferson (hamstring), and WR Derius Davis (hamstring) were limited in practice.
McConkey and Perryman came close to playing last week with limited participations in practice before being ruled out over the weekend. The Chargers’ hope throughout the week would be that they reach full participation at some point.
Considering that Herbert’s ankle injury does not seem as bad as September’s from a pain standpoint, missing the game outright is probably off the table. However, limited mobility cost the Chargers’ quarterback in terms of being able to avoid sacks and pressures until he healed up after the BYE week.
Herbert’s status for the Tampa Bay game will be big to watch throughout the week as the Chargers look to bounce back from their fifth loss of the season.