Justin Herbert fractures left hand in Chargers’ victory over Raiders and becomes doubtful for Eagles By Beatriz
5 min read
 |
In Inglewood, in Califórnia, the quarterback The incident occurred in the first quarter, on a one-yard run in the red zone, when safety Jeremy Chinn tackled him hard, causing Herbert’s hand to hit the defender’s helmet and the turf. Apesar from the pain, he completed a 10-yard touchdown pass with Quentin Johnston, giving Chargers a 7-0 lead on the first possession.
Herbert, who finished the game 15-of-20 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, rushed to the locker room with coaches and was listed as questionable to return. Backup Trey Lance took over for one series, but Herbert returned in the second quarter wearing a padded glove and cast under the shield on his non-dominant hand. Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed that the player will undergo surgery on Monday (1st) to stabilize the broken bone in the back of his hand.
The injury comes at a delicate time for the Chargers, who have eight wins and four losses, two games behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC Oeste. Herbert, in his fifth season as a starter, has already dealt with finger problems on his left hand in 2023, when he played with protection. Desta time, the impact could affect your preparation for the game against Philadelphia Eagles, scheduled for Monday (8), at SoFi Stadium.
- Herbert’s main numbers in the match: 151 air yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception in the red zone.
- Kimani Vidal run: 126 yards, personal record, helped in the victory.
- Defense of the Chargers: Limitou the Raiders to 14 points, forcing initial punts.
Moment of impact
Herbert’s run came on a crucial third down near the end of Chargers’s first offensive series. The quarterback, under pressure from the Raiders defense, opted to scramble to gain extra yards in the red zone.
Chinn’s tackle was clean, but the contact with the helmet and the ground caused direct trauma to the hand. Imagens from the broadcast showed Herbert flexing his fingers immediately after the fall, signaling to the dugout.
He insisted on staying on the field for the next snap, throwing the precise pass to Johnston and securing the points. Só then went to the locker room, where initial tests confirmed the fracture.
Determined return
Herbert reappeared on the sidelines at the beginning of the second quarter, testing light passes with his protective glove. The team adjusted the offensive scheme to avoid snaps under center, prioritizing shotgun formations and reducing touches on the injured hand.
During his brief absence, Lance completed a nine-yard pass to rookie Tre’ Harris, keeping the momentum going on the possession. Harbaugh praised the reserve’s preparation, but emphasized that the plan was always to bring Herbert back if possible.
The quarterback completed the game without further aggravation, but admitted that the pain affected his accuracy on an interception at the end of the first half. Ele ran 12 yards in total, showing mobility despite the discomfort.
Support from the offensive line, already affected by injuries to Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, was vital to protect him upon his return. Vidal, with his 126-yard run, relieved the aerial pressure.
First half performance
Herbert started hot, nine of 12 passing for 96 yards, including the opening touchdown. The injury didn’t stop him from connecting with Ladd McConkey for another TD in the third quarter, bringing his total to two in the game.
The interception came on third-and-goal when a late pass to McConkey was caught by Kyu Blu Kelly. Os Chargers stopped on fourth down soon after, but maintained the lead.
Overall, the offense ate up nearly nine minutes on the clock in the first series, controlling the tempo against an Raiders defense that allowed 31 points. Herbert avoided additional sacks, finishing with no rushing touchdowns.
Preparation for surgery
A fracture in the metacarpal bone of the left hand requires a surgical procedure for fixation with pins or a plate, common in impact injuries. Herbert described the treatment as rapid stabilization, aiming to minimize recovery time.
He plans to participate in the week’s training as if he were playing against Eagles, monitoring pain and stability. In 2023, a similar finger injury kept him on the field with a splint, without missing games.
Harbaugh indicated that the final decision will come after post-surgery exams, considering the tight schedule leading up to the playoffs. Os Chargers, with extended clearance, has time for adjustments.
NFL doctors estimate recovery time of four to six weeks for fractures like this, but athletes like Herbert speed it up with intensive rehabilitation. The initial focus will be on ball security and short passes.
Implications on the split
With the win, the Chargers level their most recent wins, winning four of their last five games after losing to the Jacksonville. Ficam two games away from Broncos, with a direct confrontation in December.
Herbert’s injury tests depth at quarterback, with Lance an immediate option. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft has limited experience but has shown flashes at Dallas and San Francisco.
The defense, which forced mistakes from Raiders, will be key if there is rotation. Os Raiders, with 3-9, fall to last in the AFC Oeste, increasing the fight for the top.
Other highlights include Johnston with his TD catch and Vidal breaking rushing records. Os Chargers maintains real playoff chances, depending on Herbert’s response.
Post-game perspectives
Harbaugh highlighted the team’s resilience, which overcame early mistakes on punt returns to dominate the second half. Os Chargers scored 24 points after halftime, sealing 31-14.
Herbert, in a post-game statement, minimized the impact: “It is what it is, I did my best to play.” Ele avoided medical details, focusing on the divisional victory.
The fans at SoFi Stadium applauded his return, reinforcing their support for the offensive leader. Analistas see the game as proof of the maturity of the squad under Harbaugh.
Immediate offensive adjustments
The team avoided plays that required strength in the left hand, such as direct handoffs or blocks. Passes shorts and Vidal runs dominated, with 74 yards on the first series.
Lance, in his entry, managed the clock without error, completing 1 of 2 passes. Sua mobility could be an asset if Herbert limits snaps next week.
Final statistics show balance: 151 aerial yards, 126 ground yards from Vidal, and defenses that limited Raiders to less than 200 total yards.
