Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing with an ankle injury that puts his availability into question for their Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Herbert suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Chargers’ 26-3 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Despite the injury, head coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that the quarterback is “feeling much better” and that he is optimistic he won’t miss time.
“Crystal ball? Expect him to get better every day,” Harbaugh said. “I was in a meeting with him. Said he was feeling much better and good today.”
While it’s too early to guess, Harbaugh did say that Easton Stick would get the start should Herbert be unable to play.
“Right now it’s Easton,” Harbaugh said. “But we are going to be way over the legal limit of ‘what ifs’ if this or if that.”
After Herbert injured his right ankle, he walked into the medical tent with team athletic trainers, but did not miss any action. He was spotted limping following the game. Harbaugh said on Monday that X-rays came back negative on Herbert’s right leg.
Herbert’s injury is the second he’s dealt with on his right foot. He wore a walking boot for two weeks during training camp after being diagnosed with plantar fascia, something that the team is monitoring during the season.