Is Justin Herbert playing today vs Chiefs? Latest updates for star Chargers QB

After a preseason that was filled with injury concerns over his right foot, Justin Herbert gave LA Chargers fans more to worry about in Week 2 when he suffered a high ankle sprain against the Carolina Panthers.

Herbert was able to suit up and start against the Pittsburgh Steelers but aggravated the injury in the loss. Pittsburgh's Cam Heyward hit Herbert's lower right leg, knocking him out of the game entirely. Taylor Heinicke came in and the rest was history.

While Heinicke is a much better backup quarterback option than Easton Stick, Chargers fans are still on the edge of their seats wondering if Herbert will play in Week 4. After all, if Herbert doesn't play against the Kansas City Chiefs then the Bolts literally have no chance.

Latest Justin Herbert updates ahead of Chargers vs Chiefs

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that Herbert is expected to suit up and start for the Chargers against the Chiefs. Of course, anything can change before the game, but that is the expectation heading into Sunday.

When asked earlier in the week if the plan was to sit against the Chiefs and stack that with a Week 5 bye, Herbert firmly said it was not in the plans and that he was going to do everything in his power to play.

Despite aggravating the injury against the Steelers, Herbert and the Chargers were adamant that the star quarterback was in less pain this week than leading into Week 3. Not only is that a good sign for Herbert to play, but it is a good sign that he will be closer to 100% and may not aggravate the injury again.

All that being said, Herbert and the Chargers need to be careful against the Chiefs and not bite off more than they can chew. Both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are tracking to be out against Kansas City, leaving Herbert with an offensive line in shambles.

The last thing any team wants is for their compromised star quarterback to get hurt even more behind a bad offensive line.

Kansas City's run defense is not as stout as Pittsburgh's (although it is still good), so expect the Chargers to really lean into the running game on Sunday. Ironically, the more the team can take the ball out of Herbert's hand the better it will be in the long term.

Either way, the Chargers are fighting a massive uphill battle in Week 4 against the Chiefs. Beating Kansas City is already hard enough; beating the defending champions with a hobbled quarterback and a beat-up offensive line is nearly impossible.