Justin Herbert is playing through a compromising injury for the third consecutive season. After dealing with fractured rib cartilage in 2022 and a broken finger in 2023, Herbert is now dealing with a high ankle sprain.
Herbert first suffered the injury in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers and was removed from the Chargers' Week 3 game after Pittsburgh's Cam Heyward landed on the affected area. With Herbert seen in a walking boot after the game, questions arose about his health moving forward in 2024.
After a promising update from Jim Harbaugh before practice on Wednesday, Herbert came over the top and revealed a lot about his status heading into Week 4. According to Herbert himself, the star quarterback is trending toward playing on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Herbert on resting for the KC game and coming back after the BYE: "I don't think that's the way we're heading."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) September 25, 2024
"Take it day by day, see how it feels...It's gotten better and continue to gets better."
On playing vs. KC: "I'm going to do everything I can to play this week." pic.twitter.com/VeieiEcwfA
Chargers must protect Justin Herbert from himself if necessary
Herbert's toughness and ability to play through adversity is one of his biggest strengths. However, at some point, the Chargers need to step in and think about the long-term picture and protect Herbert from himself.
If Herbert gets to a point where there is no risk of re-injury and he is good enough to go against the Chiefs it is one thing. But if the star quarterback is entering Week 4 in the same boat as Week 3 then it is up to Harbaugh and the coaching staff to stop Herbert from potentially making the situation worse.
If this was late in the season and the playoffs were on the line it would be one thing. Heck, if the Chargers were fully healthy coming into this game then there would be more comfort around Herbert going out there against the Chiefs.
But that is not, in fact, the reality. The Chargers are banged up heading into this matchup with both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater likely missing the game. With Trey Pipkins missing practice on Wednesday, there is a world in which Herbert would be taking snaps behind three backup offensive linemen.
That is not the kind of situation a team should put a hobbled star quarterback in. Beating the Chiefs with a compromised Herbert is already a tall order; beating the Chiefs with a compromised Herbert and an awful offensive line in front of him is nearly impossible.
It is not worth the potential long-term risk of playing Herbert for the marginal chance of beating the Chiefs with all of the injuries. Sometimes, as a football team, you have to take your medicine and move on to the next week.
Herbert will seemingly say he is good enough to play regardless of what happens. It is up to the Chargers to be the bearers of truth and make sure Herbert is not overextending himself.